Job Description

Job description

Discover Sheffield: A City Where You Can Thrive

Sheffield is a city that blends innovation, natural beauty, and a vibrant community spirit. Known as the "Greenest City in Europe," Sheffield boasts over 4.5 million trees and more than 250 parks and gardens--offering the highest ratio of trees to people of any city on the continent. A third of the city lies within the stunning Peak District National Park, making it the only major UK city with a national park inside its boundaries. Sheffield's proud industrial heritage, world-class universities, and rich cultural scene make it a fantastic place to live and work.

Why Join Sheffield City Council?

We're committed to making a real difference for our residents and our workforce. We offer:


A supportive, inclusive, and flexible working environment Generous annual leave and pension schemes Opportunities for professional development and career progression A strong focus on staff wellbeing, diversity, and work-life balance

Our teams are passionate about delivering high-quality services and shaping a better future for Sheffield. Join us and help make a positive impact in one of the UK's most dynamic cities.

About the Role

Lead our SEND Assessment and Review Service, ensuring children and young people get the support they need to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the SEND Assessment and Review Service Oversee statutory processes, including the performance against local and national timeframes for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments and Annual Reviews Manage resources, budgets, and performance to deliver high-quality, timely services Foster effective multi-agency working and strong relationships with families, schools, and partners Champion a customer-focused approach and continuous improvement The ability to enhance existing and build new relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally with local and regional organisations Must be able to work under pressure, manage multiple deadlines and whilst maintaining solution focused and the morale of the whole SENDSAR team.

About You

Proven experience in SEND or a related field, with a very strong understanding of the SEND code of practice Excellent leadership, communication, and partnership skills Ability to drive change, manage complex cases, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment Commitment to inclusion, equality, and making a positive difference for children and families

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join a team that's passionate about improving lives in Sheffield.



For further information or an informal discussion please contact Bob.Harrison@sheffield.gov.uk or Stacia.Pettersen@sheffield.gov.uk



Interviews week commencing the 16 February 2026



Location: Sheffield - Citywide with a central office base and flexible working



We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.



It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.



Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.



Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.



We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.



If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.



Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more here New job evaluation process to be introduced at Sheffield City Council | Sheffield City Council

Job details

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Job reference
REQ003951
Date posted
09/01/2026
Application closing date
01/02/2026
Location
Sheffield
Salary
Grade 11 57,786 to 63,283
Package
Permanent
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Blank
Job category/type
Children's Social Work