Bristol City Council
SEND Service Manager
Salary: £70,618 - £78,237
Basis: Full time, Permanent
Location: Bristol
Job reference: VAC006655
Bristol City Council is excited to offer a unique opportunity to lead the implementation of our new SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028, collaborate with our key stakeholders, and guide a passionate team to deliver positive outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Role Overview:
As our SEND Service Manager, reporting to the Head of Inclusion, you will be at the heart of delivering our SEND and Inclusion Strategy. You will oversee a high-profile area, leading approximately 75 staff across 6 teams, including the Assessment, Review, Funding and Tribunal services.
Our children and young people with SEND want someone who:
* Listens to their voices and understands their needs.
* Advocates for their rights and ensures they receive the support they deserve.
* Encourages their aspirations and helps them achieve their goals.
* Creates an inclusive environment where they feel valued and respected.
* Works collaboratively with their families and schools to provide holistic support.
We are at an important point in our journey to deliver exceptional services to our children and young people with SEND. Our achievements so far include:
* We launched our new SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028, capturing the views of 1,500 children and young people, 2,000 parents and carers, and 750 professionals from educational settings.
* We recently introduced our new Co-production Charter and Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen partnership working with Health and our Parent Carer Forum.
* We have invested in the newly designed SEND service, increasing capacity and reducing caseloads.
* We have committed £1m to a new Inclusion and Outreach (early intervention) service launching in September 2025.
* We are delivering a £40m city-wide investment in specialist provision over the next five years, with the first places opening in September 2025.
* We successfully ended the Written Statement of Action due to improved collaboration and partnership working, as recognised by the Department of Education.
We have much more to do through our new strategy and are creating a positive and restorative environment for our team to deliver this with our partners.
About You:
We are looking for a strong Service Manager with proven experience in delivering high-quality services for children and young people with SEND. You will excel in building relationships, delivering excellent practice, and shaping local provision. Your experience in engaging with diverse community groups and stakeholders will be invaluable.
As a subject matter expert in SEND and exceptional manager, you will develop effective and sustainable systems and processes that provide assurance and oversight, underpinning creative and high-quality practice within your service areas. You will be committed to co-producing solutions with families and partners and have the confidence and ability to build meaningful relationships with leaders across Bristol’s family of schools and settings.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a family-friendly work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.
Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
How do I apply?
Please click on apply to visit our careers site and submit your CV along with a supporting statement which details how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.
No agencies please.
Closing date: Sunday 6 April 2025.
Interviews to take place w/c 22nd April
For further information, please refer to the and Person Specification, or for informal enquiries contact Sam.Flowers@bristol.gov.uk
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.