Head of SEND and Inclusion | Inclusion Service | Countywide

Head of SEND & Inclusion 

Inclusion Team 

Lancashire, Countywide 

£77,834 to £85,120 (an enhanced package will be considered for an exceptional candidate) 

Lead the Transformation of SEND & Inclusion in Lancashire 

Role: Head of SEND & Inclusion 

Location: Lancashire County Council – Education and Children's Services 

Closing Date: Wednesday 15th October 2025 

Interviews: Thursday 23rd October 2025 

Lancashire County Council is recruiting a visionary and resilient leader to take on the role of Head of SEND & Inclusion, guiding our Inclusion Service through a bold and ambitious transformation. 

As the fourth largest county council in the UK, we serve over 180,000 children, including 13,500 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and 22,918 at SEN support. This role is central to our mission: to deliver improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families, and to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive. 

Why this role matters 

SEND is Lancashire’s number one priority. You’ll be joining at a time of significant investment and strategic focus, with the opportunity to: 

• Shape the future of SEND and Inclusion services across the county. 

• Lead a committed and skilled team, while recruiting new talent to strengthen capacity. 

• Drive service improvement and embed best practice across the system. 

• Influence partners across education, health and social care to deliver joined-up support. 

You’ll also oversee a diverse and impactful portfolio, including: 

• The Specialist Teacher Service, with opportunities to transform its role in early identification and intervention. 

• The Educational Psychology Service, where you’ll work alongside the Principal EP to grow and strengthen an Inclusive Culture across the Partnership. 

• Alternative Provision, ensuring inclusive pathways for children and young people and compliance with our statutory duties. 

• Elective Home Education (EHE), supporting families and ensuring safeguarding and quality of education. 

This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children and families, while building a legacy of excellence in inclusive education. 

What are we looking for? 

We’re not looking for someone to simply manage—we’re looking for someone to lead. 

✔ Strategic Vision & Leadership 

 You’ll bring clarity, direction and ambition to a service undergoing transformation. You’ll know what “good” looks like and have the credibility to inspire others to achieve it. 

✔ Passion for Inclusion 

 You’ll be driven by a deep commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You’ll champion a “one team” approach, working collaboratively with schools, families, and partners. 

✔ Resilience & Inspiration 

 You’ll understand the challenges facing SEND services nationally and locally. You’ll support and motivate your team through change, providing the leadership and empathy needed to succeed. 

✔ Risk & Compliance Expertise 

 You’ll have a strong grasp of the SEND Code of Practice and be confident in managing risk across the inclusion portfolio. You’ll ensure our legal obligations are met while keeping children at the heart of every decision. 

Strategic context  

You’ll be joining at a pivotal moment. Lancashire has launched a brand-new SEND Strategy for 2025–2028, developed through extensive co-production with families, professionals, and partners. The strategy is aligned with a robust Priority Action Plan following the Ofsted and CQC inspection and reflects significant progress in strengthening the SEND partnership.  

The strategy sets out a clear vision: that children and young people with SEND will thrive in nurturing, inclusive environments, with support that is timely, effective, and close to home. It is backed by a substantial investment and a commitment to building capacity across services—including the Specialist Teacher and EP teams—to deliver on this ambition. 

What we offer 

Support & Development