SEND Service Lead (maternity cover up to 12 months fixed term contract)
Please apply online via the link provided.
Please include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.
Are you an SEND leader looking for a role where you can lead and shape the delivery of statutory SEND services across Bracknell Forest? As SEND Service Lead, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for key statutory processes, including EHC needs assessments, annual reviews, phase transfers, mediation and tribunal activity.
Thisfixed-term role is ideal for an experienced SEND leader who is confident managing complex services, developing high-performing teams and using data, professional expertise and partnership working to drive sustained improvement.
At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service. This role includes an expectation to work from our Time Square office for one day per week, alongside flexible working arrangements.
Any successful internal candidate will be offered the position as a secondment and, in line with Section 8.1 of the Secondment Policy, must consult with their manager before applying. Search ‘secondment policy’ on the intranet for more information.
About you…
We are looking for an experienced, confident and values-led SEND leader to help shape and strengthen our statutory SEND services. This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-performing teams, drive improvement, influence strategic decision-making and make a real difference for children, young people and families across Bracknell Forest.
You will play a central role in ensuring services are timely, compliant and focused on improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Working closely with education, health, social care, families, providers and regional partners, you will lead service improvement, strengthen quality assurance, support effective decision-making and help ensure the council meets its statutory responsibilities.
About the team…
You will join a committed and ambitious SEND and Specialist Support Services leadership team, based at Time Square with flexible working arrangements. We work collaboratively with schools, families, health partners, social care, providers and the Parent Carer Forum to deliver timely, high-quality support and improve outcomes. This is a supportive, improvement-focused environment where professional expertise, partnership working and creative problem-solving are valued.
Key responsibilities…
- Lead and oversee the delivery of SEND statutory services, including EHC needs assessments, annual reviews, phase transfers, mediations and tribunals.
- Manage, support and develop a team of professionals, ensuring strong performance, compliance and continuous improvement.
- Chair key decision-making and resource allocation panels, supporting effective, transparent and timely decisions.
- Use data, quality assurance and partnership insight to identify priorities, improve practice and strengthen service resilience.
- Work strategically with education, health, social care, providers and families to support SEND improvement, sufficiency and positive outcomes.
Our benefits…
- 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
- Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.
Our values...
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments...
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.
Disability confident and inclusive recruitment...
Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be an inclusive employer. This means that if you have made us aware on the application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or you are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 21st July 2026.
Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.
Want to ask us a question?
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:
Suzi Austin-Brookes - SEND Service Lead
Tel: 01344 351758
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.
Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.
No agencies please.
Salary range
- £61,820 - £67,373 per year