SEF Programme Lead - Interims

Job Description: SEF Programme Lead – Interim

Contract: Interim, 3–6 months

Working Arrangement: Hybrid, with a minimum of two days per week in the office

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced SEND Improvement Consultant / SEF Programme Lead to support the development and completion of a comprehensive Self-Evaluation Framework (SEF) in preparation for inspection.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience of SEND improvement, inspection readiness and self-evaluation within education and local area SEND services. They will lead and coordinate the development of the SEF, ensuring it provides an accurate, evidence-based assessment of current performance, identifies areas of strength and highlights areas requiring further improvement.

Working collaboratively with senior leaders, service managers and key stakeholders, the postholder will support wider inspection preparation, ensuring that evidence is robust, improvement activity is clearly articulated and there is a shared understanding of progress against identified priorities.

This is a time-limited interim assignment of 3–6 months, requiring a proactive and experienced professional who can quickly establish credibility, work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timescales.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development, coordination and writing of the Self-Evaluation Framework (SEF) in preparation for inspection.

Undertake a comprehensive review of existing SEND performance information, evidence, service evaluations and improvement plans.

Work with senior leaders and relevant stakeholders to gather, analyse and validate evidence relating to SEND provision and outcomes.

Identify key strengths, areas of concern, gaps in evidence and opportunities for improvement across SEND services.

Ensure the SEF provides a clear, balanced and evidence-based assessment of current performance, impact and progress.

Support the alignment of the SEF with relevant inspection frameworks, statutory expectations and national SEND guidance.

Develop clear narratives demonstrating the impact of improvement activity on children and young people with SEND and their families.

Challenge existing assumptions and evidence constructively, ensuring that self-evaluation is robust, transparent and supported by measurable outcomes.

Support the development and refinement of improvement priorities, action plans and supporting evidence ahead of inspection.

Contribute to wider inspection readiness, including evidence preparation, document review and coordination of inspection-related activity.

Work closely with senior leadership teams, operational managers and multi-agency partners to promote consistency and ownership of the self-evaluation process.

Provide expert advice and recommendations to strengthen SEND improvement arrangements and inspection preparedness.

Monitor progress against agreed milestones, ensuring deliverables are completed to a high standard within the interim assignment.

Produce clear, concise and professionally written reports, briefings and supporting documentation for senior stakeholders.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Significant experience working within SEND improvement, statutory SEND services or local area SEND partnerships.

Proven experience of leading, coordinating or contributing significantly to the development of a SEND Self-Evaluation Framework.

Strong knowledge of SEND inspection frameworks, inspection preparation and self-evaluation requirements.

A detailed understanding of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and the responsibilities of education, health and social care partners.

Experience of reviewing SEND performance, analysing evidence and evaluating the impact of improvement activity.

A proven track record of supporting services to prepare for inspection and demonstrate progress against improvement priorities.

Experience of working with senior leaders and multi-agency stakeholders to secure engagement, challenge and ownership.

The ability to identify evidence gaps, assess service effectiveness and translate findings into clear improvement recommendations.

Excellent report-writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality, evidence-based documentation for senior audiences.

Experience of delivering complex improvement assignments within tight deadlines.

Key Skills and Competencies

Strategic leadership: Ability to lead a complex self-evaluation and inspection preparation programme.

Analytical thinking: Ability to interpret performance data, scrutinise evidence and identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.

Written communication: Exceptional drafting, editing and report-writing skills.

Stakeholder engagement: Ability to build effective relationships and secure contributions from senior leaders and multi-agency partners.

Constructive challenge: Confidence to question existing practice, identify weaknesses and recommend practical improvements.

Programme management: Strong planning, prioritisation and delivery skills, with a focus on milestones and outcomes.

Attention to detail: Ability to ensure consistency, accuracy and a clear evidence trail throughout the SEF.

Autonomy and flexibility: Ability to work independently, quickly understand organisational priorities and deliver results within a short-term assignment.

Deliverables and Expected Outcomes

During the assignment, the postholder will be expected to:

Produce a comprehensive, high-quality SEND Self-Evaluation Framework ready to support inspection preparation.

Establish a clear and evidence-based narrative of current performance, strengths and areas for development.

Identify evidence gaps and support the collation and validation of relevant documentation.

Strengthen the alignment between self-evaluation findings, improvement priorities and measurable outcomes.

Support wider inspection readiness through effective coordination, stakeholder engagement and documentation.

Provide clear recommendations to support continued SEND improvement beyond the interim assignment.

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid interim role, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the office, with flexibility to undertake other duties remotely as appropriate.

The assignment is expected to last between 3 and 6 months, depending on organisational requirements and programme progress. The successful candidate must be able to commence work promptly, operate with minimal supervision and deliver agreed outputs within the required timescales.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a credible and delivery-focused SEND improvement professional with a strong track record in self-evaluation, inspection readiness and strategic improvement.

The ideal candidate will combine detailed knowledge of SEND statutory services with exceptional writing and analytical skills, enabling them to produce a robust SEF that accurately reflects current performance, demonstrates improvement and clearly identifies priorities for further development.

This role would suit an experienced interim consultant who can quickly establish effective working relationships, provide constructive challenge and make a tangible contribution to inspection preparedness within a 3–6-month assignment