Team Leader - School Age Stat SEND

Job Title: SEND EHC Team Lead
Location: Apsley, Hemel Hempstead
Starting salary: £44,253 per annum
Contract: 1-year fixed term/secondment maternity cover
Hours: 37 hours per week

Are you an experienced SEND professional looking for your next leadership opportunity?

We're looking for a SEND EHC Team Lead to join our School Age Statutory SEND Service on a 12-month maternity cover basis. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team responsible for delivering high-quality statutory SEND services for children and young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.

You'll provide leadership, guidance and support to EHC Coordinators and Review Officers, ensuring statutory duties are delivered effectively and children and families receive a high-quality service. Working closely with schools, families and partner agencies, you'll play a key role in driving excellent outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

This role combines people leadership, operational oversight and partnership working. You'll support your team to manage complex casework, maintain statutory compliance and contribute to the ongoing improvement of SEND services across Hertfordshire.

About the role

• Leading and supporting a team of EHC Coordinators and Review Officers.
• Overseeing the quality and timeliness of EHC plan reviews and statutory processes.
• Managing SEND casework within a defined locality area.
• Building strong relationships with schools, families and partner agencies.
• Supporting staff development through supervision, coaching and performance management.
• Contributing to service improvement, quality assurance and policy development.
• Maintaining accurate records and performance information.
• Representing the local authority at SEND Tribunals where required.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the wider SEND management team to drive consistent practice and continuous improvement.

About you

You'll bring significant experience of working within SEND services and a strong understanding of the statutory framework that underpins Education, Health and Care Plans.

We're looking for someone who will lead a team, manage competing priorities and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

You'll need:

• Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations and SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience of supporting, supervising, coaching or mentoring colleagues, with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Strong organisational and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience of working collaboratively across education, health and social care services.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and motivated to support your team to deliver the highest standards of service.

For an informal conversation please contactSchool Age Statutory SEND Service Manager, rupinder.ahluwalia@hertfordshire.gov.uk

This job role is level 11 - Please locate the job profile via: Job profiles - Health and social care

Interview process:
First interview: Thursday 12 November 2026 – online
Second interview: Thursday 19 November 2026 – in person at Apsley

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Secondment
This role is open to secondments for eligible employees who work for HCC or a Local Authority. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis, you must have your line manager’s approval before submitting your application. You will be asked to confirm this within your application form. If you are not eligible for a secondment (e.g., you are currently on a fixed‑term contract that would end before this position ends) or you indicate that your manager cannot support a secondment, your application will be considered on a fixed‑term contract basis instead.

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), creating a unique opportunity to help shape the future of local services. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.