Assistant Director of SEND

Are you ready to lead transformational change for children and young people in Sheffield?

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to take on this role - someone who can deliver on our promise to provide outstanding support and outcomes for every child with additional needs.

You will be at the forefront of our SEND Transformation Programme, driving systemwide improvements, championing collaborative working, and ensuring our services are joined up, efficient, and focused on quality.

This is your chance to shape our ambitious plans for the future of SEND provision in a city that is committed to inclusion and making a real difference to those we serve. As a key member of our leadership team, you will oversee a dedicated SEND workforce and manage a significant budget to deliver high-impact services for young people.

We are looking for a diplomatic and visionary leader - someone who can build morale, model best practice, and hold teams to account while fostering a culture of support, learning, and continuous improvement. Your expertise in SEND and education, alongside your ability to unite partners and drive change, will be vital as we move forward through our delivery plans.

If you are passionate about making Sheffield a place where our children with additional needs can thrive and achieve their ambitions for adulthood, we want to hear from you.

Please view the role profile and the structure chart below.

Download Role Profile

Belonging and SEND Structures

For an informal conversation about this role, please contact:

Zara Bruton
Email: zbruton@faerfield.co.uk
Tel:  0121 312 3755

Helen Sawbridge
Email: hsawbridge@faerfield.co.uk
Tel: 0121 312 3755

Indicative timetable:

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 18 January 2026
Preliminary/Technical Interviews: w/c 26 January 2026
Stakeholder Interviews: w/c 9 February 2026
Final Panel Interviews: w/c 9 February 2026
(Dates may be subject to slight change)

Please let us know if there are any interview dates within the indicative timetable on which you are likely to be unavailable.

To apply:

To apply for this job please click on the Apply button below and fill out the requested information. When prompted, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than four sides of A4 each).

With your CV, please also provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be contacted if you reach the final stages, and we will not contact referees without your permission.

Your supporting statement should express why you are interested in this role and what experience you can bring to the organisation. The statement should tackle the specific requirements of the role; outlining examples and outcomes showing how you meet those requirements.