SEND Specialist

SEND Specialist – Local Offer Review and Improvement Project

Job Description

Job Title: SEND Specialist – Local Offer Review and Improvement Project

Location: Gloucestershire Local Area Partnership (Hybrid working - primarily home based with some in person stakeholder meetings)

Contract Type: Fixed-term Project Role

Duration: 5th January 2026 – 31st March 2026

Reporting to: SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership Leadership Team

Purpose of the Role

To lead a review and improvement project for Gloucestershire’s Local Offer, ensuring it meets the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), their families, and professionals. The role will focus on aligning local provision with national policy priorities and driving accessibility improvements to the Local Offer across the Local Area Partnership.

Key Responsibilities

• Local Offer Review - Assess current Local Offer information through multiple perspectives (Parent Carer, Young Person, Professionals inc. SENCO, Health Practitioner, Social Worker, Ofsted/CQC Inspector lens)
• Review content for accessibility, relevance and compliance with national policy, with emphasis on Local Inclusion support offer (LISO), Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce, ELSEC, Whole School Improvement Programme
• Identify gaps and propose actionable recommendations for improvement across Education, Health, and Care services
• Develop a detailed project plan, timeline, and governance framework to deliver and sustain improvements
• Work collaboratively with partners, parent carers, and stakeholders to co-produce solutions
• Use expert SEND knowledge to implement changes effectively across the local area

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Education, Health, Social Care, or a related field
• Evidence of continuous professional development in SEND and inclusion
• Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile) desirable

Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of SEND legislation, statutory guidance, and the SEND Code of Practice
• Strong knowledge of national policy priorities
• Familiarity with Ofsted/CQC inspection frameworks and their application to SEND
• Understanding of multi-agency working across Education, Health, and Care systems

Experience

• Proven track record of leading or contributing to SEND service reviews or Local Offer development
• Experience in co-production with parent carers, young people, and stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience in project planning, governance, and delivery within complex systems
• Experience of working collaboratively across education, health, and social care sectors
• Previous involvement in Whole School Improvement or inclusion strategies

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to critically review information and identify gaps and improvement opportunities
• Ability to ensure all information and output meets accessibility standards (e.g., Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)) for diverse users
• Strong organisational skills to develop and deliver detailed project plans and timelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences
• Skilled in building relationships and facilitating co-production with families and professionals
• Creative and pragmatic approach to overcoming challenges and delivering sustainable improvements
• Competent in using and/or developing digital tools, particularly in relation to Local Offer platforms and stakeholder engagement

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people
• Collaborative and inclusive approach to working with partners and families
• Resilient and adaptable in managing change and complexity
• High level of integrity and accountability

Key Outcomes

• A comprehensive review of the Local Offer with clear improvement recommendations
• A robust project plan and governance structure for sustained improvement
• Enhanced Local Offer aligned with national policy and stakeholder needs