Head of SEND

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

The role:

Are you driven to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across an entire local area? Do you have the strategic leadership skills to shape vision, raise standards, and champion inclusive practice at a system level?

We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Head of SEND to lead our SEND services in Liverpool. This is a pivotal opportunity to influence policy, strengthen partnerships, and ensure high-quality provision for children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND, enabling them to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Key responsibilities:

• The role of Head of SEND will provide high-quality services for children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND, working with partners to meet statutory duties and drive best practice across all provision
• As Head of SEND, you will drive high-quality, collaborative practice across education, health, care, families and partners, using evidence of need to shape provision, improve outcomes and support effective transitions for children and young people 0–25
• The post holder will provide strategic leadership for SEND, ensuring statutory duties are met, funding is well-managed, and services align with legislation, national policy and the SEND Code of Practice.
• The role of Head of SEND will strengthen partnerships and governance, maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, reporting, and representation at local and regional levels to support continuous improvement
• As Head of SEND, you will have demonstrable knowledge as a highly effective communicator and leader, able to motivate teams, influence stakeholders at all levels, navigate political environments, and build strong networks to translate strategic vision into high-quality delivery
• The post holder will have proven strategic SEND leadership, with experience in senior management, driving large-scale improvement, understanding inspection frameworks, SEND reforms, funding, and delivering positive outcomes for children and young people through strong partnership working and effective budget oversight

Our offer to you:

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave  
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Next steps:

Closing date: midnight on Friday 13 February 2026

Shortlisting date: W/C 16 February 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 24 February 2026

Interview type: face-to-face (including a presentation)