Head of SEND

About Education Partnership North East (EPNE)

At EPNE our ‘purpose’ is our north star. It is what we expect of ourselves every single day and why we ask all staff to keep our purpose front and centre in all that they do. EPNE is a college group (Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form).

Our Purpose is to “unlock potential, create opportunities, and transform lives through outstanding education, skills and training”. Rooted in our transformative power, it communicates our work in tackling inequalities, removing barriers, and improving the life chances of the people and communities we serve.

We nurture our very special culture. Our unifying values framework “The actions we take the choices we make - The actions I take the choices I make” represent the character of our college group, and are grounded in the belief that every action, by every individual, contributes to our success. This why we encourage empowered individuals, personal accountability and growth.

Building on our remarkable past, creativity and pioneering spirit, we are moving forward with courage into the future, improving what we do, remaining action-orientated, and innovating to make an exceptional difference for the world we live in. Shaping futures for a better tomorrow, join our change making community now.

In our latest Ofsted Report (2024), EPNE was graded as being Outstanding across all areas.

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognise that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

About the Candidate

We are looking for an inspiring and ambitious leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for learners with SEND. You will be a strategic thinker with the ability to influence, collaborate and build strong relationships across education, local authorities, employers and external agencies.

You will be committed to creating an inclusive culture where learners can thrive and staff feel empowered to develop their knowledge and practice. As a confident communicator and problem solver, you will use data, evidence and partnership working to drive continuous improvement and maximise opportunities for learners.

You will embody EPNE's commitment to being a change maker, demonstrating innovation, resilience and a determination to challenge barriers to participation and achievement.

How will this person be a Change maker?

As Head of SEND Workforce Development and Funding, you will lead transformational change across the organisation. You will shape the future of SEND provision through workforce development, strategic partnerships, funding growth and innovative practice, ensuring more learners can access high quality support and achieve positive outcomes.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Education Partnership North East at a pivotal time in the development of our SEND and inclusion strategy. Reporting to the Associate Principal SEND and Inclusion, you will provide strategic leadership for SEND workforce development, specialist support services, EHCP funding and external partnerships across the group.

You will play a key role in shaping organisational practice, driving funding growth, strengthening relationships with Local Authorities and leading a comprehensive SEND professional development programme. The role offers the opportunity to work across multiple college sites, influence regional and national SEND developments, and contribute to sector-leading inclusive practice. You will also work with innovative digital learning platforms and support the development of new approaches to workforce development and learner support.

Role Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of EPNE's SEND workforce development strategy.

Drive SEND funding growth, performance monitoring and income generation opportunities.

Oversee EHCP, Exceptional Learning Support and SEND funding processes across the organisation.

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Local Authorities, employers and…