Deputy Head of Service - SEND and Inclusion

Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports.

Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services.

We are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been ‘our colleagues’.

Our Team:
Children’s Services in Halton are on an exciting improvement journey, where significant Council investment and a dynamic and stable top team are enabling real progress towards our ambitions to become an outstanding authority. Recent feedback from Ofsted and a peer review has recognised a positive culture with staff embracing change and critically, that we’re delivering improved services for the children and families we serve.

Are you ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people with SEND in Halton?

We are seeking a dynamic, compassionate, and visionary leader to join our Education, Inclusion and Provision Directorate as Deputy Head of SEND and Inclusion. In this pivotal role, you will work closely with the Director and Head of Service to lead the development and delivery of SEND operations—shaping the future of services and ensuring children and families remain at the heart of all we do. You will champion a culture of solution-focused, child-centred practice and drive continuous improvement across the service.

Your Contributions:

• You will have a relevant degree and significant senior-level experience in SEND management, with a proven ability to lead child-centred, solution-focused, multi-agency services.
• Are you confident in your knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND reforms, and statutory guidance, with expertise in quality assurance and compliance?
• You will have strong leadership and communication skills, with experience chairing panels, deputising for senior leaders, building partnerships, and delivering impactful training.
• Can you demonstrate advanced analytical and IT skills, with a track record in data analysis, financial reporting, and creative problem-solving under pressure?
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as the role involves regular travel across the borough and beyond. Reasonable adjustments will be made under the Equality Act where appropriate.
• Enhanced DBS required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading SEND casework teams and ensuring high-quality, timely decision-making.
• Embedding inclusive practices and ensuring statutory compliance.
• Building strong partnerships with families, schools, and health professionals.
• Overseeing financial and statutory data reporting.
• Driving quality assurance, auditing EHC plans, and delivering training.
• Chairing panels and deputising for the Head of Service when required.

This is more than a management role—it’s a chance to transform lives and shape a service that reflects the values of inclusion, empowerment, and excellence.

Our Offer:
Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service
• Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
• 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
• Investment in your personal development
• Free Car Parking at HBC sites
• Flexible working arrangements
• Car leasing schemes

Next Steps:
At Halton Borough Council, we want all of our candidates to feel well-informed so if you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact Benjamin Holmes mobile number 07825978476, Benjamin.holmes@halton.gov.uk

Key dates:
Closing date: 28 September 2025
Shortlisting: 1 October 2025
Interview panels and assessment day: 14 October 2025

At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you – resourcing@halton.gov.uk

Please refer to the attached Job Profile for further information about the role and our values.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If you’re interested, please complete your application as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application!