Nottinghamshire County Council is committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families across Nottinghamshire. The SEND Inclusion Service works with schools, partners and families to promote inclusion, remove barriers and enable children and young people with special educational needs to thrive.
We are seeking an experienced and committed Locality Lead/Senior Practitioner to join our Communication and Interaction Team. The role will provide leadership, specialist advice, training and support to schools, families and settings, with a focus on improving outcomes for children and young people with communication and interaction needs, including neurodivergent learners.
In this role, you will:
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Lead and coordinate: Support specialist teachers and teaching assistants within the Communication and Interaction Team to provide targeted guidance to schools and partners, using data and intelligence to identify priorities and direct support effectively.
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Support service development: Contribute to the development of effective strategies, resources and approaches across the Communication and Interaction Team.
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Undertake direct work: Work directly with pupils where appropriate, while maintaining a strong focus on strategic service priorities.
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Develop training and resources: Oversee the design and delivery of training materials that support effective school-led systems and practice.
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Work collaboratively: Build effective relationships across the SEND Inclusion Service and Nottinghamshire’s Family of Schools structure, including District SENCOs and Family SENCOs.
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Coordinate locality support: Play a key role in developing locality working across teams and agencies, with a focus on the central districts of Mansfield and Ashfield.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
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Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
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A positive approach to inclusion and a clear understanding of strategies that develop inclusive practice in schools for pupils with SEND, particularly communication and interaction needs.
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Significant leadership experience, preferably within special educational needs.
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Substantial experience of working with children and young people with complex communication and interaction needs, including neurodivergent learners.
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Extensive knowledge of the educational implications of communication and interaction needs and a broad range of special educational needs.
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Knowledge of current policy, statutory guidance and research relating to communication and interaction, neurodiversity, SEND and safeguarding.
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Well-developed interpersonal, organisational and professional skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and partnerships.
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A full UK driving licence.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
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Strong leadership: The ability to motivate colleagues, set clear expectations and support effective service delivery, particularly during times of significant change.
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Excellent communication: Confidence in producing high-quality written reports, delivering presentations and training, and engaging with a range of audiences.
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Effective problem-solving: Highly developed judgement, decision-making and analytical skills.
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Flexibility: The ability to respond to changing needs and challenges within SEND while continuing to drive service improvement.
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Commitment: A passion for improving educational outcomes and life chances for children and young people with SEND.
In return, Nottinghamshire County Council offers:
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A place to belong: A welcoming and inclusive working environment where colleagues are valued and supported.
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Community impact: The chance to make a real difference to children, young people and their families.
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Professional growth: Opportunities for professional development and training.
The SEND Reforms provide an important opportunity to strengthen provision for children, young people and families in Nottinghamshire. Building on existing strengths, we are committed to ensuring the right support is available in the right place at the right time, enabling children and young people with SEND to attend, belong, achieve and thrive. If you would like to be part of this work, we would welcome your application.
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role and requirements.
This post is on Teachers’ terms and conditions. Salary is payable on the Teachers’ Pay Scale, plus TLR 1a and SEN allowance.
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