Location
Ealing

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£75,246 - £80,229 per annum inclusive

About the Role
Ealing Council is committed to ensuring that every child and young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can access high-quality education, support and opportunities to achieve their potential. As demand for specialist provision continues to grow, we are investing in innovative commissioning, sustainable services and inclusive pathways that improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

We are seeking an experienced senior strategic commissioner to join our Children's Commissioning Service in a high-profile role leading SEND commissioning, sufficiency planning and the effective use of resources for children and young people with SEND. This role covers specialist SEND school placements sufficiency planning and commissioning, including placements in independent schools, post-16 placements, and alternative provision. It also oversees the commissioning of other SEN-related services, such as Ealing’s short breaks offer for children with disabilities.

As Strategic Commissioning Lead (SEND) 0-25 Years, you will provide strategic leadership across:
- SEND commissioning and service development
- SEND sufficiency planning and specialist place planning
- Alternative Provision (AP) commissioning and market development
- Non-Maintained and Independent Special School (NMISS) commissioning
- Post-16 specialist education and employment pathways
- Short breaks commissioning for children with complex SEND
- Provider engagement, market management and quality assurance
- Contract negotiation and performance management
- High Needs resource planning and financial sustainability
- SEND transformation, inclusion and service redesign initiatives

Working closely with schools, trusts, colleges, providers, health partners, social care services, elected members and parent-carer forums, you will develop sustainable local provision, reduce reliance on high-cost external placements and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You will also provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders and elected members, leading major commissioning programmes and ensuring compliance with statutory SEND responsibilities and national reforms.

It is an exciting time to join us at Ealing Council. If you would like to make a positive difference to our residents and borough, we look forward to hearing from you.

Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within local government, education, children's services, health, social care or a similarly complex environment
- Strong track record in strategic commissioning, SEND services or specialist education provision
- Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and local authority statutory responsibilities
- Experience of SEND sufficiency planning, specialist place planning and provision development
- Expertise in commissioning and managing specialist placements, Alternative Provision, NMISS and/or Post-16 pathways
- Strong financial management skills including budgeting, forecasting and value for money analysis
- Experience of procurement, contract management and provider performance improvement
- Proven success in leading transformation and service improvement programmes
- Excellent analytical, negotiation and influencing skills
- Ability to build effective partnerships across education, health, social care and provider sectors
- Strong political awareness and experience advising senior leaders and elected members

About you
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families
- Committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable SEND services
- Able to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
- Resilient, strategic thinker with excellent communication skills

Qualifications
- You must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence will be requested at interview stage.
- Relevant professional qualifications or experience in commissioning, education, social care or related fields are desirable but not mandatory.