Head of SEND
People at the Heart of Everything We Do
Newham is an ambitious and vibrant borough, proud to be home to one of the youngest and most diverse cultures in the country, contributing to 220 languages being spoken in the area. The Borough is changing rapidly, benefiting from significant investment, creating new jobs, homes, and opportunities for all. Over the next decade we expect to see an additional 2,500 jobs created, injecting £1.5 billion to the local economy.
Our vision is for Newham to be a place where every child and young person enjoys the best possible opportunities in life – through outstanding education; first-rate youth services; exceptional family support, and social care services that ensure no child is left behind.
Children and young people are at the heart of the council’s corporate priorities; and there has never been a more exciting time to join us. Newham is the only borough in the country with its own Children’s Commissioner, while our new independently-chaired SEND Commission will help inform our aspirations by exploring in depth what inclusion means for our schools and our children and young people. Next year will also see the opening of a new specialist school in Newham.
If you share our commitment to supporting children and young people’s aspirations, celebrating their achievements and guaranteeing children with SEND get the education, encouragement and support they deserve, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Role
£67,938 - £86,682 pa | Permanent | Newham Dockside | Closing date 09.05.21
The need for strong SEND leadership in Newham is clear. We have a young population – with almost a quarter of our residents aged under-18 – we are seeing a rise in the number of children who require support for SEND needs, and currently have more than 1,300 children with EHC plans.
Our Head of SEND, plays a central role in delivering our vision – showing dynamic leadership, working collaboratively with others across schools and children’s services to ensure the best outcomes for children with special education needs and disabilities.
The Head of SEND will oversee a high-profile area, supported by 70 staff across 5 different teams, and budget responsibility of up to £25 million. Acting as a change agent, the role offers the opportunity to shape the future of SEND delivery across Newham.
About you
We are looking for a strong leader with proven experience in implementing strategic improvements within a Children’s and Young People’s service. You will be skilled in changing mindsets and attitudes, relishing the challenge of making this role your own.
With knowledge and experience of SEND, you will have the ability to learn fast, displaying a commitment to championing the rights of children with SEND. You will need to move at pace, getting a grip on statutory systems, practices, finances, and legislation – whilst raising aspirations with the creativity and ambition to pioneer new approaches.
Demonstrating a collaborative approach, you will have the confidence and ability to build meaningful relationships with Headteachers and key partners across Newham’s community of 97 schools, ensuring inclusion is embedded in education across the borough – both in mainstream schools and specialist provision.
To apply, click the link to complete the application form attaching a supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
* Please note, should you be shortlisted, you will be required to attend (virtually) a technical interview on the 14th May 2021. Unfortunately, due to panel availability, this date cannot be rescheduled. All shortlisted candidates will be notified on the 11th of May 2021.*
Additional Information
The London Borough of Newham is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria as specified in the Job Profile will be guaranteed an interview.
Priority consideration on all advertised roles will be given to London Borough of Newham Redeployees.
The London Borough of Newham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Please be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check will be required for any position with access to these groups under the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
In addition, the Authority reserves the right to request employees undertake a basic disclosure check (Disclosure Scotland) where required for the role this includes anyone who has access to (or information obtained directly from) a government database or has a GCSX account. These posts will be required to have a Basic Disclosure Scotland check as per the requirements of BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standards).
ABOUT US
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the both the Theatre Royal Stratford East and Stratford Circus Arts Centre offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.
Newham has a large housing regeneration programme that will build over 1,000 new council homes by 2022.