West Northants are looking for a SEND Improvement Officer to support the development of the SEND Improvement Plan for West Northants Council and the wider partnership, ensuring delivery of high quality, effective and consistent service support across the West Northants.

This role will support the local partnership to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Please note this role is a two year fixed-term contract.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days annual leave per year, 28 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Car Lease scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

The council is in the process of implementing a new pay structure and terms and conditions which will be applicable to this role.  The outcome could result in a future variation to the advertised salary, and this will be discussed at interview.

As a SEND Improvement Officer, you will:

• Support the SEND Improvement Manager to lead the SEND Improvement programme by providing direction, advice and guidance to colleagues across West Northants Council and the wider partnership; including colleagues in health, social care and education settings.
• Provide support and guidance to the local partnership with relevant internal and external key partners, including Northamptonshire Parent Forum Group (NPFG) schools, childcare providers, OFSTED, DfE and voluntary/community providers.
• Support the local SEND Improvement Board (multi-agency partnership board) by coordinating and collating performance and service reports. Work with partners to ensure timely and accurate reporting and engagement aligns with the agreed priorities within the local Joint SEND Strategy and action plans.
• Support the development of a detailed assessment of the needs of children with SEND, and their families is co-produced to inform future commissioning of services, support and training. This will include accurate assessments of needs across West Northants and in Locality Planning Areas that can influence the local partnership about future service improvements.
• Facilitate engagement activities in order to co-produce a new Joint SEND Strategy, including defined co-production approach for West Northants, by engaging with all partners to agree a new vision and strategic priorities for children and young people with SEND.
• Support and influence the local SEND communication plan, that includes the development of the Local Offer.
• Develop management reports and other detailed analysis required by Department for Education and other regulatory bodies.
• Provide professional advice, guidance and support to the local SEND partnership.

This role requires you to:

• Be educated to a degree level with vast experience within the Education or Health & Social Care sector.
• Possess some knowledge of Children’s Services & Early Years Sector
• Show an excellent working knowledge of project management.
• Evidence knowledge of partnership working.

We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.  

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. 

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.