SEND Operational Lead

SEND Operational Lead

London | 6 Month +  Contract

Panoramic Associates is working with a London Borough to appoint an experienced SEND Operational Lead to provide senior leadership across its EHC statutory service.

This is an operational leadership role with responsibility for driving performance, statutory compliance, quality assurance and continuous improvement across the end-to-end EHC process.

Working closely with the Head of SEND, the successful candidate will provide oversight across EHC assessment, planning, annual reviews, preparation for adulthood and dispute resolution, while supporting the wider strategic direction and improvement of statutory SEND services.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide senior operational leadership across the EHC statutory service.
• Drive improvements in statutory performance, compliance, quality and timeliness.
• Oversee EHC assessment, annual review and casework functions.
• Lead performance management, quality assurance and service improvement.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate recovery plans.
• Support SEND inspection readiness and wider improvement programmes.
• Provide oversight of complaints, mediation, SEND Tribunal activity and complex case escalation.
• Lead, manage and develop managers and teams across the service.
• Build effective relationships with schools, health, social care and wider partners.

About you:

We are looking for an experienced senior SEND professional with:

• Significant experience of leading statutory SEND services.
• Strong knowledge of EHC assessment, annual reviews and statutory casework.
• A successful track record of improving performance, quality and statutory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and inspection frameworks.
• Experience leading managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to provide immediate operational grip while supporting longer-term improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established SEND leader to take on a broad and influential operational role within a local authority SEND service.

About you:

We are looking for an experienced programme leader with:

• Significant experience of leading complex transformation or reform programmes.
• A strong understanding of SEND and the national reform agenda.
• Experience operating at Director and senior leadership level.
• Strong programme management, governance and assurance expertise.
• Experience coordinating delivery across complex, multi-agency systems.
• The ability to quickly establish programme grip and provide credible challenge and direction.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of a high profile SEND reform programme and support a local authority through a significant period of national change. For more information, please apply below or contact Sophie on (phone number removed).