We are excited to welcome an experienced, passionate and committed colleague to work with in the role of Head of Service, Health, Education and SEND Commissioning. As part of our Dorset Children Thrive Model and Dorset’s Partnership’s ten- year plan Children Young People and Families Plan 2023-2033, we are enhancing our senior leadership and aligning Heads of Service alongside our challenges and priorities. Our Commissioning & Partnerships function is key to our continued success, enabling us to respond effectively and reflect our ambition for children, young people and families. This service area brings together strategic expertise to education planning, including school finance functions, SEND Sufficiency and Commissioning. This combined focus is required to meet our High Needs Programme workstream, efficiently managing the high needs element of our dedicated school’s grant. You’ll provide strategic direction for the commissioning and procurement of specialist provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and leadership for high quality service delivery. You will build and maintain strong partnerships with NHS Dorset, Dorset Healthcare, schools, parents and other key stakeholders to ensure integrated and co-ordinated service delivery. Working alongside partners, and across directorates in the Local Authority your role will be to ensure that collectively we are effectively meeting the diverse needs of children, young people and their families. You’ll find dedicated and like-minded colleagues across directorates and our partners; colleagues who care deeply about providing and continuously improving the best outcomes possible to enable every child and young person to reach their full potential. You’ll be an experienced and exceptional leader, providing a pivotal contribution from commissioning to the Best Education for all ambition in Dorset’s Partnership’s ten- year plan Children Young People and Families Plan 2023-2033. The Ideal Candidate Will Have an excellent understanding of SEND services and commissioning, challenges and opportunities Demonstrate strategic vision and be able to translate complex priorities into actions Demonstrate a strong track record in building effective partnerships Have expertise in managing budgets and efficient use of resources Be a passionate advocate for the needs of children and young people with SEND We are excited to get to work on this next phase, if you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Alice Deacon, Corp Director - Commissioning & Partnerships: Alice.Deacondorsetcouncil.gov.uk Interviews are likely to be held w/c 23rd September.