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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # SEND and Transformation Lead - **Company:** i Jobs - **Location:** Crewe, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £90,334.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Service Design, Service Development Studio, Performance Monitor - **Published:** September 14, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=becf62c8bdea9c10 ## About the Role * Significant senior-level experience in SEND, education, children's services or public sector transformation * Proven experience leading complex SEND transformation, service improvement or change programmes * Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, Children and Families Act 2014 and wider SEND statutory requirements * Experience working across local authority education, social care, health and/or commissioning environments * Strong understanding of SEND pathways, provision, sufficiency, inclusion and outcomes for children and young people * Proven ability to develop and implement strategic transformation plans and deliver measurable improvements * Experience managing complex programmes, projects, risks, dependencies, resources and competing priorities * Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance, financial and service data and translate findings into practical action * Experience preparing strategies, business cases, reports and recommendations for senior leaders and governance forums * Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, negotiation and partnership-working skills * Ability to build effective relationships with senior Council officers, elected Members, schools, health partners, families and external organisations * Strong understanding of co-production and the importance of incorporating the voice and lived experience of children, young people and families * Experience leading service redesign, process improvement and organisational change * Strong programme governance, performance monitoring and benefits-realisation skills * Ability to manage financial pressures, identify efficiencies and support value-for-money improvements * Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to different audiences * Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams and influence colleagues without direct line management authority * Ability to challenge constructively, make evidence-based decisions and provide strategic direction * Highly organised, proactive and able to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines * Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills * Ability to operate effectively in a complex, politically sensitive and changing local government environment * Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, safeguarding and improved outcomes for children and young people, * SEND, Children's Services or Public Sector Transformation: 2 years (required) * leading SEND transformation/service improvement programmes: 2 years (required) ## Description * Provide strategic leadership for SEND transformation and service improvement across Cheshire East Council * Lead the development and delivery of SEND transformation programmes, ensuring alignment with statutory duties, Council priorities and improved outcomes for children and young people * Develop and implement strategic plans to improve SEND services, pathways, performance, quality and user experience * Lead complex transformation projects from design through implementation, monitoring progress, risks, benefits, resources and outcomes * Work collaboratively across education, children's social care, health, commissioning and wider Council services to deliver integrated SEND improvements * Build strong relationships with schools, colleges, health partners, parents, carers, children and young people, and other key stakeholders * Engage senior leaders and partners to establish shared priorities, secure commitment and drive transformational change * Analyse performance, demand, capacity, financial information and service data to identify challenges, opportunities and improvement priorities * Develop evidence-based recommendations, business cases, strategies and implementation plans for senior management and governance boards * Lead service redesign, pathway development and improvement initiatives, ensuring changes are sustainable and outcome-focused * Ensure transformation activity reflects SEND legislation, statutory guidance, local policies and best practice * Support improvements in SEND sufficiency, commissioning, inclusion, early intervention and access to appropriate provision * Identify and manage programme risks, dependencies, issues and financial pressures, escalating significant concerns appropriately * Establish effective governance, reporting and performance monitoring arrangements for transformation programmes * Monitor delivery against agreed milestones, benefits, KPIs and outcomes, taking corrective action where required * Lead engagement and consultation activities, ensuring the views and experiences of children, young people and families inform service development * Promote co-production and person-centred approaches to SEND service transformation * Lead and facilitate workshops, project groups, partnership meetings and senior-level discussions * Provide professional challenge and constructive advice to improve service quality, consistency and outcomes * Support cultural and organisational change, encouraging innovative and evidence-based approaches to service delivery * Ensure effective communication of transformation priorities, progress, risks and outcomes to senior stakeholders * Contribute to financial planning, efficiency programmes and the identification of sustainable savings and value for money * Work across organisational boundaries and manage competing priorities within a complex and changing environment * Ensure equality, inclusion, safeguarding, data protection and corporate governance requirements are embedded within transformation activity ## 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