Area SEND Manager role at Surrey County Council (as advertised by Local Government Chronicle)

Overview

The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is £53,713 per annum based on a 36-hour working week. This role is open to hybrid working with a minimum of two days per week in the office, and regular visits to schools and settings as part of collaborative SEND work with schools.

About The Role

At Surrey County Council, we are committed to ensuring that all children and young people with SEND receive an outstanding service. Our SEND and Inclusion Services work collaboratively to ensure timely and purposeful casework and the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. The post holder will work with a team focused on the statutory annual review process to deliver timely, high-quality, legally compliant Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plans and secure appropriate provision and placements. You will build professional relationships with colleagues, partners and families, modelling high standards of customer care and supporting complex SEND casework.

As Area SEND Manager you will oversee a busy area SEND team, champion effective communication with customers, and contribute to statutory decision making and service improvements.

We are looking for compassionate, knowledgeable, and proactive individuals who can build trusted relationships and communicate clearly.

Key Responsibilities

• Statutory aspects of Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), EHCP writing, annual review management and securing provision and placements
• Promoting and ensuring proactive team communication with customers
• Direct line management of EHCP Coordination Managers
• Providing advice and unblocking complex casework through solution-focused approaches
• Attending multi-disciplinary meetings and contributing to statutory decision making
• Monitoring and managing budgets in accordance with financial procedures
• Ensuring complaints are handled effectively and that learning occurs from them
• Using performance data to report progress, forecast demand and drive improvements

Travel across the locality to build professional relationships is required.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting, your CV and personal statement should clearly evidence the following:

• A professional qualification and relevant registration with post-qualification practical experience, or relevant experience administering the statutory SEND framework
• Ability to apply critical analysis and evaluative judgement
• Proven written and verbal communication skills with negotiation and influencing abilities, and ability to work collaboratively
• Deep knowledge of SEND and related legislation
• High-level problem-solving skills with capacity to devise and implement innovative solutions
• Experience in recruitment, management, coaching and development of staff
• Competence in IT tools including MS Office and database management

The role involves visiting venues across the locality to build professional relationships.

Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (pro-rated for part-time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• Local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub with resources

Contact and Application Notes

Please contact us with any questions about the role, including flexible working requests or barriers to employment. For informal discussion please contact Natalie Callaghan via email.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 7 September, with interviews to follow. An enhanced DBS check and relevant barred-list checks are required.

Additional Context

Local Government Reorganisation: Surrey County Council is preparing for local government reorganisation, which will lead to fewer new unitary councils from April 2027; the role will transfer with terms and conditions intact to one of the new unitary councils.

Our Commitment: Surrey County Council is a Disability Confident Employer. A Guaranteed Interview is offered to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria and who choose to disclose a disability on the application. Adjustments can be requested in the interview and/or role during the process.

Location: Woking, UK • Status: Permanent • Published: 30 Aug 2025