About this role
Job summary
We are seeking two experienced and dynamic Heads of SEND to lead the development, commissioning and transformation of SEND services across the Thames Valley ICB with one role covering Berkshire West & Oxfordshire and the second role covering East Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
These are pivotal leadership roles, requiring a proven track record of delivering improvements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families.
Applicants should have significant SEND experience, a strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and statutory responsibilities, and experience of working across health, education and local authority partners.
You will provide strategic leadership, drive system-wide improvement, champion co-production, and ensure high-quality, equitable services that improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children and young people with SEND.
Main duties of the job
Lead the department / directorate and the team to ensure that workstream and programmes are planned and carried out effectively.
Lead the provision of an efficient, effective and high quality professional and well coordinated procurement and contract management service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation.
Manage the team's business support function, including developing and managing the team's annual business plan, progress and dashboard reporting and risk and issue management.
Manage all corporate business returns, including planning and workforce returns.
Have oversight and management of all aspects of the department / directorate budgets.
Develop and implement a content management system to ensure information is properly managed and best practice is shared across the team, directorate and the wider NHS organisations
Take a lead in the coordination of training and development and recruitment activity across the department / directorate.
Participate in on-call arrangements as appropriate.
About us
We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We believe that the best employers are those that reflect the communities they serve. We want to increase the diversity of our NHS leadership and particularly encourage applications from women, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBT communities, younger candidates and from people with lived experience of disability, who we know are all under-represented in these important roles. We are committed to delivering a trustworthy, flexible and responsible staff culture.
At our Organisation, our selection process ensures we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. We monitor AI use in applications and remain alert to misuse that misrepresents abilities. You must declare any AI use when submitting your application.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description for full details of task and main responsibilities.
The job description is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The postholder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager. The job description will be reviewed on a regular basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to master's degree level (postgraduate studies) or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
Knowledge, Experience Essential
Extensive knowledge of specialist area/s, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training, plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level equivalent. o System leadership across health, education, and care o Strong partnership and influencing skills o Knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory frameworks o Programme and transformation leadership o Data-driven performance management. An understanding of the background and aims of current healthcare policy, appreciating the implications on engagement. A good understanding of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, Integrated Care Systems (including Integrated Care Boards), and individual provider organisations. Previous experience of budget responsibility, involvement in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes. Experience of working with, and building and developing successful professional relationships with, a range of stakeholders (internal and external). Experience of managing and motivating a team, including managing work performance of individuals and team. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel etc.) with intermediate keyboard skills. Member of relevant professional body.
Skills, Capabilities, Attributes Essential
Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups. Ability to use informed persuasion and influencing skills for board and senior managers of the respective merits of different options, innovation and new market opportunities. Negotiation skills in respect of sometimes difficult and very complex and detailed issues. Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. Able to take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action, and to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues. Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise. Ability to carry out procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment. Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities using available information sources, which may require formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances. Able to work with external stakeholders and NHS colleagues to develop (strategic) plans on a local and national level e.g. performance improvement and innovation. Skills for delivering results through managing through others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility. Self-motivated, able to work on own initiative and prioritise own work effectively and work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines. Teamworking skills, willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Thames Valley ICB
Address Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxford
Oxford
OX4 2PG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)