SEND Policy & Practice Development Team Manager | Inclusion Service

Policy & Practice Development Team Manager

Inclusion Service – Lancashire County Council
Salary: £51,356 – £55,612
Location: Lancashire (Hybrid / Countywide)

The Lancashire SEND Service is currently recruiting to a number of new and existing roles following a service redesign aimed at strengthening capacity and improving support for children and young people with SEND. This has created additional posts across teams, resulting in more opportunity to join the team. This period of growth is a positive and intentional step toward building a skilled, resilient and high‑performing service.

We are looking for motivated, committed individuals who are ready to contribute to our improvement journey and make a real difference to families across Lancashire.

Shape the Policies That Shape Children’s Lives. Lead Change That Lasts.

If you’re a strategic thinker who thrives on influencing practice, driving improvement and shaping systems that make a genuine difference — this is your opportunity to lead at a county‑wide level.

Lancashire’s Inclusion Service is transforming how it supports children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We are committed to building a service that is evidence‑informed, forward‑thinking and unified under a clear, ambitious vision for SEND.

As our new Policy & Practice Development Team Manager
, you will sit at the heart of this transformation — leading policy design, driving system improvements, overseeing data and digital processes, and supporting the development of a skilled and confident workforce.

This is a role where your strategic leadership will directly strengthen how children, families and professionals experience SEND services across Lancashire.

Working across the Inclusion Service, you will lead the development, implementation and review of policies, procedures and service‑wide frameworks that ensure consistency, compliance and high‑quality practice.

You will oversee system administration, data analysis and performance reporting, ensuring leaders have the insight they need to make informed decisions. You will contribute to strategic planning, lead aspects of workforce development — including induction, SEND Academy activity and continuous learning — and support cross‑service projects aligned to local and national priorities.

Your work will ensure the Inclusion Service operates with clarity, coherence and shared purpose. From Local Offer content to government returns, from process design to project oversight, your leadership will be felt across the whole SEND system. Above all, you will champion child‑centred, inclusive practice in everything you influence.

This is the perfect role for someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and practical implementation, and who wants to deliver meaningful, sustainable improvement.

You will bring significant experience of shaping policy, leading projects or driving service development in education, health, social care or a related environment. You understand SEND legislation, statutory responsibilities and local authority processes, and you’re confident translating complex information into clear, practical frameworks.

You are a strong communicator who can influence, negotiate and bring people with you — whether you’re working with senior leaders, schools, families or multi‑agency partners. You analyse data intelligently, think critically and make sound, evidence‑informed decisions.

As a leader, you are values‑driven, adaptable and solution‑focused. You manage competing priorities effectively and maintain high standards of accuracy, clarity and strategic alignment. Above all, you believe in inclusive practice and in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

A degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience is required. This is an essential car user post and you must be able to provide a vehicle insured for business use.

We offer hybrid working, flexible hours and a culture that prioritises wellbeing. You will benefit from 26 days’ annual leave (rising to 32 with service), 10 bank holidays and the opportunity…