TRUST SEND and SENCO LEAD at Cheshire Academies Trust

Cheshire Academies Trust is seeking to appoint an experienced and compassionate Trust Specialist Support Lead on a one-year fixed-term basis at 0.4 FTE (two days per week). This is a pivotal Trust-wide outreach role working under the direction of the SEND Director, with a primary focus on supporting staff across our mainstream schools to meet the needs of pupils with higher levels of SEND within inclusive classroom environments. The successful candidate will play a critical role in helping teachers and one-to-one support staff develop effective approaches, adaptations, resources and provision that enable pupils with SEND to thrive. This position involves working closely with the SEND Director, school leaders, teachers, support staff and SENCOs to strengthen day-to-day classroom practice, build staff confidence and develop greater consistency of inclusive approaches across the Trust’s schools and four local authorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Outreach support for inclusive practice: Work directly with mainstream schools to support teachers, one-to-one staff and wider teams in meeting the needs of pupils with higher levels of SEND in classroom contexts.
• Advice, adaptation and resources:Offer practical advice, develop resources and recommend appropriate adaptations, programmes and strategies that help pupils access learning and participate successfully in mainstream environments.
• Four areas of need:Provide informed guidance across all four areas of need within the SEND Code of Practice: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health; and physical and sensory needs.
• Assessment and problem-solving:Observe pupils, unpick barriers beneath how a child may initially present, and work with staff to identify the why, the need and the most effective next steps.
• Quality first teaching and consistency:Champion quality first teaching and inclusive classroom environments as the starting point, while working with the SEND Director to develop greater consistency in approaches, routines and support systems across schools.

We offer:

• The opportunity to build an overall educational experience for pupils which is world-leading
• A supportive, committed Trust community
• An opportunity to work alongside the SEND Director and wider central team on a Trust-wide priority
• A culture that values and nurtures leadership, professional growth and career opportunity

This position would be suitable for somebody looking for secondment from or in addition to their current role.

If you are excited by this opportunity and would like to join our fantastic team, we’d love to hear from you!  Please contact Carole Farrell at carolefarrell@cheshirelta.co.uk for further information and to arrange a visit to one of our schools.  Applications must be made via My New Term.

https://mynewterm.com/jobs/5455/EDV-2026-CAT-06939

Closing Date:  5 pm, Thursday 14^th May 2026.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Level DBS check.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All applicants will be considered on the basis of suitability for the post regardless of sex, race or disability.