Deputy Team Manager – EHCP Team

How you'll make a difference As Deputy Team Manager within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Service, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality statutory services for children and young people with SEND. Working closely with the Team Manager, you will provide day-to-day operational leadership and oversight of the team, ensuring statutory responsibilities are delivered effectively, legal timescales are met and children, young people and their families receive a responsive and high-quality service. Using your expertise, you will support continuous improvement, drive service performance and help develop best practice across the service. What you will be doing You will support the Team Manager in leading the EHCP Coordination team and deputise where required, ensuring the effective delivery of a high-quality service. You will oversee complex, high-profile and escalated casework, providing guidance and quality assurance across the team to promote best practice and continuous improvement. It will be key for you to respond to complaints, member and MP enquiries, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and that learning is embedded within the service. You will support tribunal preparation, legal processes and risk management, while participating in and, where required, chairing Multi-Agency Panels. Working collaboratively with families, schools, health and social care partners, you will build strong relationships at both operational and strategic levels. By leading service improvement initiatives and performance monitoring, you will help ensure consistency in data management and recording. What we need from you It is essential that you hold a relevant professional qualification, such as a degree in education or an equivalent specialist qualification, or can demonstrate extensive experience within a statutory SEND environment. You must have a thorough understanding of SEND legislation, including the SEND Code of Practice. We are looking for someone with experience of managing complex casework and competing priorities, alongside strong leadership, communication and relationship-building skills. You will be confident in responding to complaints, concerns and enquiries in a timely, accurate and professional manner, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and legal timescales. Using your analytical skills, you will be able to interpret information, assess risk, identify solutions and support service improvement and change to achieve positive outcomes. What you need to know This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Badminton Road, Yate and from home. Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained. You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel. Interviews will be held on 22nd and 23rd October 2026. How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities. We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance. What’s special here is the strength of the team ethos, the support and the training. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect. Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life. We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential. We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. We’re making a difference, be part of it! To view the full job description, please click this link: XX – Job Description. You will support the Team Manager in leading the EHCP Coordination team and deputise where required, ensuring the effective delivery of a high-quality service. You will oversee complex, high-profile and escalated casework, providing guidance and quality assurance across the team to promote best practice and continuous improvement. It will be key for you to respond to complaints, member and MP enquiries, ensuring issues are resolved promptly and that learning is embedded within the service. You will support tribunal preparation, legal processes and risk management, while participating in and, where required, chairing Multi-Agency Panels. Working collaboratively with families, schools, health and social care partners, you will build strong relationships at both operational and strategic levels. By leading service improvement initiatives and performance monitoring, you will help ensure consistency in data management and recording. It is essential that you hold a relevant professional qualification, such as a degree in education or an equivalent specialist qualification, or can demonstrate extensive experience within a statutory SEND environment. You must have a thorough understanding of SEND legislation, including the SEND Code of Practice. We are looking for someone with experience of managing complex casework and competing priorities, alongside strong leadership, communication and relationship-building skills. You will be confident in responding to complaints, concerns and enquiries in a timely, accurate and professional manner, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and legal timescales. Using your analytical skills, you will be able to interpret information, assess risk, identify solutions and support service improvement and change to achieve positive outcomes.