School Improvement Officer (SEND)
Job Summary
Contract Type:
Fixed Term
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
01/10/2026
Advert End Date:
13/10/2026 23:59
Salary:
£63,900 - £66,967
Further Information
School Improvement Officer (SEND)
Salary: Grade: Soulbury (SCP 14 to 16 +3SPA) - £63,900 - £66,967 per annum
Working Pattern: 37 hours per week (flexible patterns will be considered) Fixed Term Fixed Term 3 Years
Location: Together for Children Offices / Agile Working Across Sunderland
Closing date: 13 October 2026
Interview Date: 23 October 2026
Join our Team
Together for Children Sunderland is on a transformative journey to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in Sunderland. We are an outstanding Ofsted-rated Children’s service, if you’re committed to helping children, families, and our community thrive and have the skills to support our mission, we would love to hear from you. You can learn more about us here: Together for Children.
About the role
Together for Children is seeking an exceptional leader to join our School Improvement & SEND Service as a SEND School Improvement Officer. This is an important role responsible for strengthening SEND and inclusion across Sunderland's education system. You will provide professional leadership for SEND within the School Improvement Service, ensuring that inclusive practice, SEND Support and statutory expectations are firmly embedded within school improvement activity across all phases.
Working closely with headteachers, governors, trusts and partner agencies, you will provide high-level challenge and support to schools, lead SEND-focused improvement activity and help ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the highest quality provision.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice at a system level, support schools to improve outcomes for vulnerable learners and play a key role in Sunderland's continued commitment to inclusion and excellence.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. We will also carry out an online internet search for information that is publicly available online that might suggest that you are not fit to work with children or young people.
“Due to recent changes in UKVI rules, this role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under the updated eligibility requirements effective 22 July 2025.”
We want you to apply if you:
- Have significant experience in school leadership, SEND, inspection, school improvement or local authority advisory work.
- Possess expert knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, inclusion and school accountability.
- Can deliver high-quality support and challenge to schools, trusts and governors.
- Can lead and develop specialist SEND professionals.
- Can use data, intelligence and evidence to evaluate impact and drive improvement.
- Can work collaboratively with partners across education, health and wider services.
- Can promote inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
For an informal discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Richard Cullen, Strategic Lead – School Improvement & Early Years: Richard.Cullen@togetherforchildren.org.uk
Why work with us?
- Make a difference: Our work matters. The work we do is incredibly rewarding. Join us and make a difference in the lives of our children, families, and community.
- Inclusion: Thrive in our diverse and inclusive culture and be part of our employee networks, including Accessibility, LGBTQ+, Racial Equality, Armed Forces and Menopause.
- Work-Life Balance: We offer a hybrid model of working with agile and flexible working arrangements, including part-time opportunities, flexible hours, and the possibility of remote work arrangements.
- Professional Development: Advance your career with our comprehensive induction, supervision, peer support, and supportive environment.
- Be part of a happier, healthier workforce: Benefit from our wide range of wellbeing activities and employee assistance programmes.
- Attractive Salary, Benefits and Rewards: for additional information please follow this link Together for Children Benefits and rewards ·
- What our team think: About Us
We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to various ages, disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, beliefs, races, and ethnicities. We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
We are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our EDI Lead inclusion@togetherforchildren.org.uk or peoplesupport@togetherforchildren.org.uk so we can discuss any adjustments or support we can provide during the recruitment process or within the workplace.
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked-after young person, are care experienced, or are a veteran.
Are you ready to make a difference?