Vacancy Description

Achieving for Children is an award-winning social enterprise created by Kingston and Richmond Councils in 2014, expanding into the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead in 2017. We are responsible for delivering the entirety of children’s services in all three local authorities.

Achieving for Children has been up and running for four years, and in that time we have established a reputation as one of the leading children’s services providers in the country. We are one of the Department for Education’s eight ‘Partners in Practice’, tasked with leading improvement across the sector.

We are looking for a SEND Service Manager to join the newly formed Inclusive Education service. You will be the lead professional for the work relating to Education, Health and Care plans, short breaks and the web-based local offer. You will have close peer relationships with the social care lead for children and young people with disabilities and work alongside the lead professional for education. In this space your ability to build practical relationships with schools and health providers will be essential for success.

As a SEND Service Manager you will be responsible for:

• Managing all statutory responsibilities for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) aged 0-25 years.
• Have responsibility for ensuring that EHC plans for this group are legally compliant with the statutory requirements of the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Develop the capacity of the Preparing for Adulthood service for young people aged 16-25.
• Set operational leadership for high quality, timely plans which deliver strong outcomes for children and young people.
• Monitor and guide the effectiveness of the banding arrangements to ensure fairness and transparency while maintaining financial efficiency.

You will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people as well as demonstrating the following skills and experience:

• Be educated to degree level, with appropriate professional qualification/s.
• Have extensive knowledge of legislation, statutory frameworks including the Code of Practice, and policy affecting services for children, young people and families in relation to SEND.
• Experience of managing the processes that deliver co-produced EHC plans on time and to a high quality.
• Have experience of building and maintaining successful relationships with a range of influencers, including schools of all types and health providers.
• Have a high level of determination, personal drive, energy and ambition to achieve challenging targets and improve outcomes.

In return, we will offer you high quality support and development opportunities. If you would like to find out more about this exciting role, please contact Alison Crossick, Interim Associate Director for Inclusion on 01628 685878 for an informal discussion.

Achieving for Children is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undertake a Criminal Record Check.

Closing date: 1 September 2019

Interviews: tbc

Further information on this vacancy

• Job Description/Person Specification