SEND Transformation and Improvement Lead


Company:	Oxfordshire County Council
Salary:	£75,116 to £78,721 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Kidlington, OX5 2BP
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	20 Oct 2026
Closing date:	18 Nov 2026

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Summary

About Us

At Oxfordshire County Council, we want every child and young person with special educational needs and disabilities to have the opportunity to learn, thrive and achieve their potential. Within our Children, Education and Families Directorate, the SEND and Inclusion Service leads the council’s work to improve educational outcomes and ensure children, young people and families can access the right support at the right time.

We know that meaningful change does not happen within one team or organisation alone. It happens when schools, education settings, health partners, council services, families and communities come together around a shared ambition. That is why this role is so important.

As our SEND Transformation and Improvement Lead, you will play a central role in shaping the future of SEND services across Oxfordshire. You will help drive improvements that make a genuine difference to children, young people and families, ensuring that inclusion, early intervention and high-quality support are at the heart of everything we do. This is an opportunity to influence change on a county-wide scale, working with passionate colleagues and partners to create a system that delivers better experiences and outcomes for every child who needs it.

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and has the drive to turn strategy into meaningful action.

As SEND Transformation and Improvement Lead, you will be a key member of our SEND and Inclusion Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic leadership across some of the most important improvement and transformation programmes in Oxfordshire. You will support the delivery of our SEND Reform Plan, helping to shape how services evolve and ensuring that ambitious plans translate into real improvements for children, young people and families.

No two days will look the same. One day you might be working with senior leaders across education, health and care to develop new approaches to inclusion and early intervention. The next, you could be presenting progress to partnership boards, engaging with schools and parent carer representatives, or supporting services to overcome challenges and deliver lasting improvements.

Partnership working sits at the heart of the role. You will build trusted relationships with schools, health organisations, community partners, elected members, government departments and families, bringing people together around a shared vision for SEND. You will ensure that the voices of children, young people and families are heard and reflected throughout service design, transformation and decision-making.

You will also play an important role in shaping the future sustainability of SEND services. Through strong programme leadership, performance oversight and effective use of resources, you will help create services that are not only high quality but sustainable for years to come. With responsibility for significant transformation programmes and budgets of up to £5 million, you will use evidence, insight and innovation to support better outcomes and value for money.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally significant programme of reform and leave a lasting legacy for children and young people across Oxfordshire.

About You

You will be an experienced and credible senior leader who understands both the opportunities and challenges involved in delivering change across complex systems. You may come from a background in education, SEND, children's services, local government or a related public service environment, but most importantly, you will be motivated by making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people.

You will have a track record of leading large-scale transformation, improvement or reform programmes and will be comfortable navigating complexity, building consensus and maintaining momentum. You know how to bring people together behind a common purpose and inspire confidence at every level, from frontline practitioners through to senior leaders and strategic partners.

We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will be able to see the bigger picture while remaining focused on achieving results, using data, insight and evidence to make informed decisions and drive meaningful improvement. Your understanding of SEND legislation, policy and statutory responsibilities will enable you to provide clear and confident leadership in a changing national landscape.

Just as importantly, you will be an inclusive and authentic leader who values collaboration, listens carefully to different perspectives and builds trust quickly. You will understand that lasting change comes through strong relationships, co-production and a shared commitment to doing what is right for children, young people and families.

If you are excited by the opportunity to influence SEND services at a system level, lead ambitious transformation and help create better futures for children and young people across Oxfordshire, we would love to hear from you.

Rewards and benefits

Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 for eligible roles.

Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).

Option to buy additional holiday.

A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Flexible working.

Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24x7.

Range of family-friendly policies.

Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.

Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If thisis applicableto you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Ourcommitment to:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:

Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and

supporting those transitioning from HM Armed

Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:

Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:

Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.