Interim SEND SAS Sensory Specialism Lead (Countywide

Job Introduction

Job Title: Interim SEND SAS Sensory Specialism Lead (Countywide)

Starting Salary: Level 14 - 18 Leadership Scale £ per annum (pro rata for part time) - Pay award pending

Hours: 32.50

Base

Location:

Apsley or Stevenage (subject to applicant) with countywide travel required.

Contract Type: Fixed Term/Secondment until 1st April 2028 - Teachers T's & C's

Directorate: Childrens Services

Would you like an opportunity to support Hertfordshire delivering better outcomes for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

Education Directorate is a multi-disciplinary service comprising of SEND Specialist Advice and Support services (SEND SAS), Early Years, School Planning and Admission, Access & Inclusion Services and Statutory services.

SEND SAS consists of a range of advisory support services such Sensory teams, Cognition & Learning team and Speech, Language, Communication & Autism team.

The post holder will lead the specialist support provision for the County for Children young people (0-25) with Deaf and Hearing, Vision Impairment needs and Multi-Sensory Impairment needs, ensuring quality and equity of service delivery.

This is an interim role until April 2028, which will be reviewed as SEND Reform and Local Government Reform progress.

As part of Education Directorate the post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues across Education, Social Care and health both within and outside Education Directorate to promote early intervention, assessment and excellent inclusive practice.

Another key part of your role will be to support Children’s Services and the SEND SAS team with the implementation of the SEND Reform Plan and Local Government Reorganisation programme.

As the interim Countywide Specialism Lead for Sensory Needs, you will lead and develop Hertfordshire’s specialist support offer for children and young people aged 0-25 with hearing impairment, vision impairment and multi-sensory impairment. You will ensure high-quality, equitable services that help children and young people achieve positive outcomes and thrive in education.

You will provide strategic leadership across the county, working with schools, early years settings, post-16 providers, families and partner agencies to promote inclusive practice, early intervention and effective support in line with the SEND Code of Practice and local SEND priorities.

You will lead and support a team of specialist professionals, including Countywide Lead Teachers and the Educational Audiologist, ensuring high standards of practice, advice, training and service delivery. You will oversee quality assurance, performance management and the continuous development of the sensory support offer.

Working as part of the SEND Specialist Advice and Support Service leadership team, you will evaluate service impact, identify development priorities and help shape strategic planning. You will also manage the SEND Highly Specialist Equipment Service and contribute to the effective use of budgets and resources to secure the best outcomes for children and young people.

You will build strong partnerships across education, health, social care and parent networks, representing the service at strategic forums, panels and projects. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will maintain a small advisory caseload, modelling excellent practice and providing specialist advice to support children and young people with sensory needs.

Another key part of your role will be to support Children’s Services and the SEND SAS team with the implementation of the SEND Reform Plan and Local Government Reorganisation programme.

• Educated to degree level and hold Qualified Teacher Status
• In-depth specialist knowledge and understanding of the range of sensory impairments and best practice in relation to meeting these needs
• Minimum five years relevant and successful teaching experience e.g. teaching in a specialist setting or advisory service
• Thorough understanding of high-quality teaching and learning
• Ability to model excellent practice and lead by example
• Commitment to promoting equal opportunities and diversity
• Able to travel…