SEND Manager

We're looking for a passionate and skilled SEND manager to join our team and play a vital role in supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities. This is an opportunity to make a real difference by helping shape the support and provision our students need to thrive.

Working closely with the senior leadership team and SENDCo, you'll manage all the systems, records and processes that help us offer excellent educational provision to every child. You'll also be the key point of contact for families, staff and external agencies, building trusted relationships and ensuring everyone has what they need to support our students effectively.

Your new school

Lift New Forest is a successful and friendly Secondary school in the Waterside area of Hampshire. Our vision is simple - to provide an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day. At Lift New Forest, children belong to a community of students who are proud of their school. Students are respectful to each other and behave very well in and out of lessons. They embody the habits of the New Forest Way; Be Kind, Show Determination, Make Good Choices. The children at our school are a pleasure to work with, both inside and outside the classroom. As a small school we are fortunate to be able to really get to know each student very well, and our children are part of a school with a real community feel. Strong relationships and first class support across the community ensure that young people are safe, happy and successful.

Key responsibilities:

• maintain accurate SEND records and registers, ensuring everything is up to date and organised in line with the SEND code of practice;
• manage Annual Reviews of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and ensure all paperwork is completed and shared promptly;
• collect and analyse student data to inform the school's SEND approach and monitor attendance and exclusion rates;
• act as the main contact for parents, carers and external agencies, coordinating meetings and referrals with professionalism and empathy;
• support financial processes, including managing top-up funding information and monitoring departmental budgets; and
• provide administrative support to the SENDCo, managing diaries, correspondence and maintaining an efficient filing system.

We are looking for someone who:

• holds Level 2 qualifications in maths and English (GCSE grade 4 or equivalent) and Level 3 qualifications (A levels or equivalent);
• has a good understanding of the SEND landscape within education and relevant legislation;
• brings excellent administrative and organisational skills with the ability to manage a busy workload;
• is confident using IT systems, including Google Workspace and management information systems like Arbor;
• has strong written and verbal communication skills and can build positive relationships with a variety of people; and
• shows empathy, creativity and flexibility when supporting students with SEND.

You'll be someone who handles sensitive information with absolute confidentiality and can respond calmly and thoughtfully to changing priorities. Does this sound like you?

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

How we support you

We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work. Discover how we'll support you to thrive, develop and grow your career in the way that's right for you: How we support you.