Senior SEND Officer - SEND Reforms

Job Introduction

Working Hours: 30 per week

Contract: Fixed Term until 31st March 2028

Interview Date: 11 December 2026

Join Us and Shape the Future of SEND in Rutland

Be part of a once-in-a-generation transformation of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services.

At Rutland County Council, we are seeking enthusiastic, talented and committed professionals to join our growing SEND and Inclusion team as we deliver an ambitious programme of local and national SEND reform. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping a more inclusive education system that puts children, young people and families at the heart of everything we do.

Our SEND Reform Programme is focused on strengthening inclusion in mainstream education, improving partnership working across education, health and care, embedding meaningful co-production with families, and ensuring children and young people receive the right support at the right time.

About the Role

As a Senior SEND Officer you will play a key role in delivering Rutland's ambitious SEND Reform Programme, helping to drive system-wide improvements that strengthen inclusion, improve outcomes and ensure SEND services are responsive, effective and centred on the needs of children, young people and their families.

Working within the SEND and Inclusion team, you will support the implementation of local and national SEND reforms, leading improvement activity that enhances practice, strengthens quality assurance processes and promotes greater consistency across the SEND system. You will work closely with colleagues across education, health and social care, as well as children, young people and families, to develop and embed approaches that deliver meaningful and sustainable change.

The role includes coordinating and supporting the local authority's response to mediation, tribunal and complaint activity, ensuring that learning is identified, shared and translated into service improvements. Using insight from feedback, dispute resolution processes and quality assurance activity, you will help strengthen decision-making, improve experiences for families and contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

As a senior member of the team, you will also provide leadership, coaching and professional support to colleagues, helping to develop confidence, capability and consistency across the service. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys supporting others to grow, influencing practice and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will work alongside managers and partners to champion innovation, share best practice and help shape the future direction of SEND services in Rutland, ensuring reform is translated into real and lasting improvements for children, young people and families.

Additional Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Costs for the DBS are covered by Rutland County Council.

Please note that you will need a full driving licence to enable you to travel across the county.

About You

We're looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and who can combine strong SEND expertise with a drive for service improvement. You will bring:

• Significant experience within SEND services, including casework and a strong understanding of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and statutory processes.
• Experience of supporting mediation and tribunal activity, with the ability to identify learning and use this to improve practice and outcomes.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with families, schools, colleagues and partner agencies.
• A positive and innovative approach, with the confidence to challenge constructively, think creatively and contribute to service transformation.
• Experience of supporting and coaching colleagues, helping to build confidence, consistency and best practice across teams.
• A commitment to co-production and inclusion, ensuring the voices of children, young people and families help shape and improve services.

Informal enquiries

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Lauren Wakefield, SEND Team Manager at lwakefield@rutland.gov.uk

We review applications frequently; however, in periods of high demand, the role may close earlier than advertised, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Our benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• A strong focus on health, wellbeing, and work-life balance

For further information on the benefits of working for Rutland, please see our careers page:Jobs and volunteering | Rutland County Council

Our Values

Our values – Passionate, Ambitious, Work Together, and Make a Difference – guide everything we do. We’re looking for people who share these values and want to contribute to strong, supportive teams that deliver positive outcomes for our communities.