Special Education Needs Team Manager

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Reading

26/06/2026

Special Education Needs Team Manager

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary

£56,730 - £60,669 per year

Contractual hours

Basis

Full time

Region

Permanent / Full-Time

Job category/type

Children's Services, Managerial

Date posted

11/06/2026

Job reference

DOC0096

We’re looking for an experienced and driven SEND Team Manager to lead a high-performing Special Educational Needs Service that makes a real difference, focusing on Assessments and the Primary phase.

Our focus is improving outcomes for children, young people and families. In this key leadership role, you’ll take responsibility for the operational management of the SEND team, ensuring statutory duties are delivered to a high standard while championing a genuinely child-centred approach.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who combines strong legislative knowledge with confident leadership and a passion for delivering meaningful outcomes.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You’ll lead the effective delivery of SEND services (Assessments and Primary), ensuring statutory duties are met and outcomes for children and young people are improved.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and support a team of SEN Officers to deliver high-quality processes

• Ensure assessments, plans and reviews meet statutory deadlines and quality standards

• Oversee complex cases and provide guidance on escalations

• Drive strong partnership working with families, schools and professionals

• Chair SEND panels and contribute to funding and placement decisions

• Represent the service at meetings and tribunals where required

• Monitor performance, data and service delivery to ensure continuous improvement

• Work closely with multi-agency partners, including social care

About you

You’ll be an experienced SEND professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for improving outcomes.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience within SEND and a strong knowledge of relevant legislation

• Is confident working with families and partners in a person-centred way

• Can manage complex situations and make sound, evidence-based decisions

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• The ability to prioritise and meet statutory deadlines

• A proactive, resilient and collaborative approach

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• A wide range of flexible working opportunities

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact ***email_hidden***.

Closing Date: Friday 26th June 2026

Interview Date: Monday 6th July 2026

Interview Process: To be confirmed

Special Education Needs Team Manager