Senior Responsible Officer – SEND (0.6 FTE, Fixed‑term)

About the role

The Senior Responsible Officer (SEND) will lead the delivery of Northumberland’s Local Area SEND Reform Plan. Working within the Children’s Services team, the post is a 0.6 FTE fixed‑term role (one year) reporting to the Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education and the Partnership Executive Board.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Local Area SEND Reform Plan in partnership with the SEND Local Area Partnership.
• Coordinate actions across schools, settings and external partners to meet the plan’s targets.
• Prepare quarterly monitoring reports for the Department for Education.
• Provide strategic advice to the Executive Partnership Board and ensure alignment with the council’s SEND strategy.
• Represent the council in SEND stakeholder meetings and partnership forums.

Required profile

• Proven experience in children’s services and SEND delivery within a local authority or similar setting.
• Strong credibility and ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of SEND partners.
• Excellent understanding of the SEND reform agenda and local authority processes.

Required skills

What we offer

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 31 days after 5 years) plus public holidays.
• Automatic enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working options including job‑sharing, term‑time only and compressed hours.
• Salary sacrifice schemes and local government discount schemes.