SEND Strategy Lead - Cognition and Learning

About the role

SEND Strategy Lead - Cognition and Learning

Fixed Term, Part Time

£57,478 to £67,621 per annum (full time equivalent)

Location: Chelmsford

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 2 years. This is a part time position working 18.5 hours per week, the pro rata salary will be £28,739 to £33,811 per annum.

The Opportunity

Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life experience of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our vision is for a SEND system which identifies and assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and impactful support without such high dependence on Essex County Council’s statutory services. We have a responsibility to deliver effective services and support in the most cost effective and impactful way.

The SEND Strategy Lead (Cognition and Learning) will drive forward the strategy to improve outcomes for children and young people in Essex. developing and advancing provision, partnerships, resources and the development and deployment of expertise across Essex in relation to Cognition and Learning.

The role requires experience of working as a senior teacher, educational psychologist, or in another senior role within the field of teaching and learning, with significant Cognition and Learning expertise in developing quality provision and innovative responses based on research and evidence, to improve outcomes for children and young people.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Education

Organisational Accountabilities

Roles at this level will be focused on delivering results in a specific functional area. They will hold expertise on the application of policy and improvement of service delivery. The role is accountable for:

Operational planning and performance review to maintain exceptional service delivery and ensure the political objectives and priorities of the council are met
Working collaboratively within and across functions and thinking commercially to support the delivery of best possible outcomes for our customers on a financially sustainable basis
Maintaining and nurturing collaborative relationships with other teams in the function and external organisations that support the delivery of annual plans
Implementing changes and continually evaluating the service to improve the area of work, while maintaining continual delivery of the highest possible levels of service quality.
Managing complex issues and resources to meet the needs of customers and deliver the best possible outcomes
Effective utilisation of digital technologies and innovation across the function
Celebrating Equality and Diversity and ensuring it is considered as part of all decisions taken
Using professional expertise to translate goals and plans into ways of working that comply with relevant legislation and statutory requirements and manages a level of appropriate risk
Delivering exemplar customer interactions to individuals and communities which support strong relationships and a reputation for achieving outcomes and resolving issues

Service/Functional Accountabilities

Lead the development and ongoing review of an Essex Cognition and Learning strategy which engages all partners as well as parents, families and children and is responsive to changing needs and circumstances.
Facilitate and support the development and implementation of innovative and cost-effective provision and resources for pupils, to maximise positive outcomes and support inclusive practice across the County.
Collaborate with education settings and other professionals, including the Essex quadrant SEND teams, to build capacity through the development and sharing of expert knowledge, guidance, support and professional development in the field of Cognition and Learning needs.
Develop school-led SEND through sustainable and cost-effective partnerships and clusters, to grow and enhance the successful inclusion of pupils with Cognition and Learning needs in mainstream school settings.
Grow the role of enhanced provisions and Essex special schools in supporting mainstream schools to meet Cognition and Learning needs effectively.
Develop systems by which parents and carers can be fully involved in co-producing plans to identify, assess and meet their child’s Cognition and Learning needs, in order for them to achieve their aims, realise their aspirations, be as independent as possible and play an active part in their communities.
Lead and drive forward the development of innovative research and practice in the field of Cognition and Learning, drawing on wider research and evidence-based practice at both a national and international level.
Support the development and capacity of the ECC quadrant leadership and SEND teams to deliver the strategy for Cognition and Learning.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Experience as a senior teacher, educational psychologist, or in another senior role within the field of teaching and learning with significant expertise in developing quality provision and responses to improve outcomes.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in the relevant professional area, responding to constant changes and developments.
Demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the factors that lead to improvement in achievement levels and positive wellbeing outcomes for children and young people with Cognition and Learning.
Experience of working with children and young people with Cognition and Learning needs and detailed knowledge of research informed interventions and approaches that prevent and meet their needs.
Experience of developing and implementing planning and performance frameworks, in a multi-disciplinary and partnership environment. In doing so demonstrating initiative and a resolve to remain focussed on the intention.
Experience of successfully supporting the work of multi-agency professionals to achieve positive outcomes.
Successful project and research experience.

If you have any questions about the role or the daily responsibilities of a SEND Strategy Lead - Cognition and Learning, please contact Stephen Whitfield at Stephen.Whitfield@essex.gov.uk

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout Essex. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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SEND Strategy Lead – Cognition and Learning