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Deputy Head of SEND and Inclusion

37 hours per week. Market Supplement of £6000 per annum is payable until 31/03/2028, paid in monthly instalments. This is subject to early removal, should there be a rationale to do so.

Job Introduction

Halton is a vibrant and ambitious local authority with a rich history and strong sense of community. Located in the heart of Cheshire, with excellent transport links to Liverpool, Manchester and beyond, Halton combines the benefits of a connected urban area with a commitment to delivering outstanding services for residents.

This is an exciting time to join Halton. We are delivering ambitious transformation programmes across the Council, investing in our workforce, and driving improvements that make a genuine difference to the lives of children, young people and families.

We are particularly proud that when our employees are asked what they value most about working for Halton, the most common response is simply: "our colleagues." That reflects the supportive, collaborative and values-led culture that makes Halton such a rewarding place to work.

Our Team

Children's Services in Halton are on a positive and ambitious improvement journey. Significant investment, strong and stable leadership, and a committed workforce are helping us realise our vision of becoming an outstanding authority.

Recent feedback from Ofsted, peer reviewers and, importantly, our most recent SEND Local Area Inspection Monitoring Visit, has recognised the progress being made across the SEND system. Inspectors acknowledged the positive impact of partnership working, improved leadership and governance, and the commitment across education, health and care partners to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

This momentum creates an exciting opportunity for an inspirational leader to join us as Deputy Head of SEND and Inclusion and play a key role in shaping the next phase of our improvement journey.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND?

Do you have the leadership skills, strategic vision and commitment to inclusion needed to help drive further improvement across a forward-thinking SEND service?

As Deputy Head of SEND and Inclusion, you will work closely with the Director and Head of Service to provide strategic and operational leadership across SEND services. You will help deliver our ambitious vision for inclusion, ensuring children, young people and families remain at the centre of everything we do.

This is a unique opportunity to influence change at scale, lead high-performing teams, strengthen partnerships and contribute directly to the continued development of a SEND system that is making measurable progress and improving outcomes.

What You'll Bring

You will be an experienced SEND leader with the credibility, expertise and drive to deliver excellent services and support continuous improvement.

You will have:

• A relevant professional qualification and substantial senior leadership experience within SEND services.
• A strong understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice and wider statutory responsibilities.
• Proven experience of leading child-centred, solution-focused and multi-agency services.
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance, statutory compliance and service improvement methodologies.
• Excellent partnership and communication skills, with experience of working effectively with families, schools, health partners and senior stakeholders.
• The ability to analyse complex information, interpret data and use evidence to drive decision-making and improvement.
• Experience of managing budgets, financial reporting and performance monitoring.
• Confidence in chairing panels, leading difficult discussions and deputising for senior leaders when required.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential, as the role involves travel across the borough and beyond. Reasonable adjustments will be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this post.

Key Responsibilities

As Deputy Head of SEND and Inclusion, you will:

• Lead and support SEND operational teams to deliver high-quality services and timely statutory processes.
• Drive excellence in SEND practice and ensure compliance with statutory duties.
• Promote inclusive approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, schools, health colleagues and wider partners.
• Lead quality assurance activity, including auditing Education, Health and Care Plans and monitoring service performance.
• Oversee statutory returns, performance information and financial management arrangements.
• Deliver training, coaching and professional development across the service and partnership.
• Chair panels and deputise for the Head of SEND and Inclusion as required.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role. It is an opportunity to contribute to a service that is making real progress, building strong partnerships and placing children and young people at the heart of decision-making.

You will join a talented and committed team that is passionate about inclusion, ambitious for children and young people, and determined to continue improving outcomes across Halton.

Our Offer

In addition to working within a supportive and forward-thinking organisation, we offer:

• A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions.
• Three times salary life cover through the LGPS.
• Significant investment in learning, development and leadership progression.
• Flexible and agile working arrangements.
• Free parking at Halton Borough Council sites.
• Access to car leasing schemes.
• A positive working environment where wellbeing, collaboration and professional growth are valued.

Find Out More

For an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact:

Kelly Carey, Head of SEND and Inclusion
Mobile: 07393 269 456
Email: Kelly.carey@halton.gov.uk

Key Dates

Closing Date: 09 August 2026
Shortlisting: 10 August 2026
Interview and Assessment Centre: 17 August 2026

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Halton Borough Council, we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are accessible, inclusive and barrier-free.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact:

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 early should we receive sufficient applications. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Join us and help shape the future of SEND and Inclusion in Halton.