Job Information
Do you want a challenging and rewarding career with real opportunities to change the lives of people in Northumberland, if you are dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic then we want to hear from you.
Northumberland County Council’s Inclusive Education Service is looking to appoint a Senior SEND Advisor to a newly created post within the management team. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and creative individual who is committed to promoting and developing the highest possible quality of provision for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) in Northumberland.
The main focus of work will be on strategic oversight of our statutory SEND team and working closely with school communities and other settings to ensure that they are in the strongest position to deliver a graduated approach to meeting need; and in conjunction with the Head of Inclusive Education Services, Director of Education and Skills and Head of SEND Strategy ensure that the vision and priorities for SEN in Northumberland are achieved.
Key deliverables of the post centre on supporting and developing the SENCo community through effective communication and effective, high quality EHCP processes which meet all requirements set out by the Children and Families’ Act and ensuring that robust systems of self-evaluation, support and challenge for/to schools are in place and monitored.
Good, strong working relationships with School Leaders will underpin the work. In addition, the role involves leading on specific aspects of system and service improvement, and the postholder will perform deputising functions on behalf of the Head of Inclusive Education Services 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 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 and Local Authority premises across Northumberland.
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 experience of delivering a SEN Support offer within a school setting
- Have a good understanding of SEN legislation with regard, in particular, to the responsibilities of schools in meeting needs
- Be committed to the inclusion of children and young people in mainstream settings, and the achievement of best outcomes
- 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, Interim Head of Inclusive Education Services Mike.Finlay@northumberland.gov.uk
Why choose us?
We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:
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26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
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Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
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Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)
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Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands
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Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, home working, flexible working, term-time only, and compressed hours
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Car leasing scheme
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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
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.
