Interim Head of SEND Improvements

Interim Head of SEND Improvements

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Slough Borough Council

Service Area: Children's Services - Education

Hours: 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:30

Start Date: 01 May 2026

End Date: 31 August 2026

Closing Date: 30 April 2026 at 10:00

Location

Office Base:

Observatory House

25 Windsor Road

Slough

Berkshire

SL1 2EJ

Pay

PAYE Rate:£518.56 per day

Equivalent Hourly Rate:£70.08 per hour

Job Overview

Slough Borough Council is seeking an experienced Interim Head of SEND Improvements to provide senior leadership capacity and strategic programme oversight across SEND improvement activity.

This role will focus on delivering the Priority Improvement Action Plan, driving strategic transformation of SEND services, strengthening partnership working and ensuring improvement activity is aligned, accountable and delivering impact for children, young people and families.

The successful candidate will lead cross-cutting improvement work, bringing together multiple interdependent plans and enabler workstreams across data, ICT, co-production, governance and operational change.

Important - Please Read Carefully

This role requires senior-level SEND improvement and transformation experience.

You must have a strong track record of leading large-scale SEND, education or children's services improvement programmes, including work linked to inspection outcomes, governance, data improvement and stakeholder engagement.

Candidates without relevant senior SEND improvement experience are unlikely to be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Priority Improvement Action Plan across SEND services
• Translate multiple improvement plans and interdependent workstreams into a coherent strategic action and resource plan
• Align activity, resources and accountability against a single improvement framework
• Accelerate data cleansing and dashboard development to improve visibility of SEND provision, quality and performance
• Review governance and quality assurance arrangements to strengthen oversight and accountability
• Develop a clear strategic narrative for decision makers, including risks, mitigations and delivery confidence
• Engage proactively with parent-carer forums, partners and stakeholders to support co-production and rebuild trust
• Work closely with commissioners to reduce the risk of non-compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and best value duties
• Support rapid operational change and culture shift across SEND services
• Drive cost-effective service delivery and improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong track record of achievement at senior leadership level
• Good understanding of SEND policy, legislation and inspection challenges
• Proven success in managing large-scale, complex transformation programmes
• Experience working within SEND, education, health or children's services improvement
• Strong strategic planning and programme delivery skills
• Experience leading governance, quality assurance and performance improvement activity
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Experience facilitating change, promoting new ways of working and driving culture change
• Financial understanding of high-needs funding, commissioning and complex-needs-led budgets
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including with senior leaders, parents and carers

Additional Information

Enhanced DBS and barred list check will be required on offer acceptance.

Job Reference:RQ