Your New Organisation

Southend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance. As a Unitary Authority, we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

Southend City Council are seeking x5 Specialist Teachers (AS /SEMH / SENCO/Special School teachers) who are confident, hands-on, and ready to work in classrooms, partnering with school leaders and staff to raise the standards of SEND provision. All our staff work across all ages, with students in the classroom, modelling strategies and approaches, with families and the wider professional network around a CYP. This is a temporary post until the end of July 2025 and can be offered as either part-time or full-time.

We are specifically looking for:

SEMH Specialist Teachers with extensive experience supporting students who have experienced trauma, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), attachment challenges, and behavioural needs. Our team promotes a restorative approach, and we're keen to meet individuals passionate about SEMH. We already have a strong EBSA offer, but are keen to hear from teachers who are interested in the overlap between AS and EBSA and teachers who have a strong background in working with students who present with behaviour that challenges.
Cognition and Learning Specialists, ideal for experienced SENCOs, SpLD-trained specialist teachers, or those passionate about making literacy and language accessible in both primary and secondary schools.
AS Specialists - this is a dynamic and energetic team, working with all ages in settings ranging from Grammar schools to students working at Engagement Model level within a mainstream school/ base. This role would suit AS specialists, staff who have worked in a Special School or AS ARP provision.
Key Responsibilities:

Provide high-quality specialist support to children and young people with SEND, including (but not limited to) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Complex Needs, Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN), Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD/Dyslexia), and Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
Collaborate with school leaders, teachers, and external stakeholders to identify and address the specific needs of SEND students, driving inclusive practices and positive outcomes.
Monitor, evaluate, and refine early identification and intervention strategies, promoting continuous improvement and best practice in SEND education.
Ensure compliance with SEND-related policies, safeguarding regulations, and inclusion standards.
Deliver training and model effective practice to schools, settings, and partner agencies on all aspects of SEND support.
What you need to succeed

QTS
Minimum of 8-10 years' teaching experience
Ideally, either leadership experience, e.g. Senco, or specialist experience such as running a provision, ARP, Unit, Special School
What We Offer:

Competitive day rate of up to £300 depending on experience

What you need to do now

If you're interested in either role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.
Southend-on-Sea City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.

Join us and be part of a team already leading in areas such as Autism, Complex Needs, Sensory, SEMH, and Learning-and growing fast.

Help shape the future of inclusive education in Southend!

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