Job Information
ROLE OF THE JOB
Do you want a challenging and rewarding career with real opportunities to change the lives of people in Northumberland? If you are a dynamic, creative and positive leader who is dedicated to improving outcomes for those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), then we want to hear from you!
Northumberland County Council is dedicated to supporting all children and young people with SEND to live their best life, and our Inclusive Education Service is looking to appoint a Preparation for Adulthood Lead to ensure exactly that! This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and creative individual who is committed to developing and promoting the highest possible quality of provision and outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Northumberland.
Working closely with young people, families, schools and colleges, training providers, employers and colleagues across the Council, the PfA Lead will develop ambitious and effective approaches to supporting young people to flourish, ensuring increasingly engaging pathways into adulthood which are supported by highly effective planning. The main focus of work will be on strategic oversight of the PfA education strategy, action planning to deliver high quality EHCP annual reviews, increased number and quality of pathways to post-16 education, employment (paid or voluntary) and into adulthood for those with SEND.
In conjunction with the Head of SEND, Director of Education and Skills and Head of SEND Strategy, you will ensure that the strong vision for those with SEND in Northumberland is realised.
Good, strong working relationships and an ability to foster and develop effective networks and clear action plans will underpin the work. In addition, the role involves leading on specific aspects of system, chairing development groups, leading on wider priority areas and service improvement, and the postholder will perform deputising functions on behalf of the Head of SEND in collaboration with other managers in the Inclusive Education Services.
Location: County Hall, Morpeth. Please note that it is expected that the successful candidate will spend at least one day per week in County Hall, flexibly working from home throughout the rest of the week. It is expected that the post holder will also undertake meetings in educational settings, other organsations and Local Authority premises across Northumberland.
Salary: Band 12
We are looking for a professional with a proven track record as a leader, and as a manager of change. The successful applicant will:
- Have recent and relevant leadership experience within an educational setting, Local Authority or other organisation within a relevant role (eg.an inclusion and diversity role).
- Have a good understanding of Equality, Disability and SEND legislation with regard, in particular, to the education, employment and training of those with SEND
- Be committed to the inclusion of children and young people in education, employment and training
- Be committed to the principles of coproduction
- Be a strong team player, with experience and evidence of positive and collaborative leadership approaches
For details of essential and desirable skills and experience applicable to the post, and more detail about the key duties and responsibilities, please see the attached Job Description and for an informal discussion about the post, please contact Mike Finlay, Head of SEND: Mike.Finlay@northumberland.gov.uk
Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:
26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, home working, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
Car leasing scheme
Staff networks - run by staff, for staff, providing opportunities for peer networking, mutual support, staff development e.g. Apprenticeship, Armed Forces, Autism, Enable (disability), LGBT+, Menopause, Mental Wellbeing, Racial Equality
Further information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930
Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications
