School Place Planning Sufficiency Principal (SEND)

Overview

In this role you will lead Lancashire’s SEND sufficiency planning, shaping future provision across the county. You’ll work within the School Place Planning team to forecast demand, steer capital investment, and commission SEND places, aligning with statutory duties. You’ll collaborate with schools, trusts, and partners to build a sustainable SEND estate and influence long‑term education infrastructure. This is a high‑impact opportunity to transform SEND provision for children and families across Lancashire.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Access to training and leadership development
• Collaborative working environment

Responsibilities

• Lead development, review and implementation of the SEND sufficiency strategy
• Analyse demand, trends, demographics and housing growth to identify future SEND place requirements
• Oversee annual review of SEND sufficiency and contribute to statutory returns (SCAP)
• Develop and deliver the SEND Capital Programme in collaboration with colleagues
• Commission additional SEND places through expansions, specialist units, resource provisions and new schools
• Contribute to Local Plan consultations and infrastructure planning across districts
• Secure developer contributions for future SEND provision
• Prepare reports, briefings, business cases and recommendations for senior leadership and elected members
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, trusts, dioceses, partners and communities
• Lead, coach and develop staff within the SEND sufficiency function

Key requirements

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience
• Significant experience in SEND, education, sufficiency planning or related field
• Detailed understanding of SEND legislation (Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice)
• Experience analyzing complex data and presenting findings to varied audiences
• Experience managing projects and programmes
• Experience leading, coaching or managing staff
• Excellent report-writing, stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Project Management qualification
• Experience of education capital programmes, commissioning or school place planning
• Knowledge of planning policy, infrastructure planning and developer contributions

• Strategic thinking
• Strong leadership and motivational skills
• Effective communication with senior stakeholders
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Programme and project management
• Knowledge of SEND legislation and policy

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