Job Introduction
Job Title: SEND & AP Place Planning Officer
Working Pattern: Maternity cover
Salary: £35,412 - £39,152 (pay award pending)
Location: Countywide with Lincoln base
Closing Date: 21st June 2026.
Interviews: 3rd July 2026.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Education Support team in a role encompassing SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Alternative Provision (AP) as a maternity cover contract or secondment to cover maternity leave. If you join us as our SEND & AP Place Planning Officer, you can make a real difference by being part of our initiative to enhance support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to be educated and have their needs met in their local communities.
Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative and inclusive approach to driving forward our Better Belonging: .Sufficiency strategy for special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision. Working across an ‘Outstanding’ Children's Services, you will be part of a well-respected and supportive team, working closely with a wide range of internal and external partners to maximise the effectiveness of new initiatives to support children with special educational needs and the Council’s ambition to place young people in their local communities enabling their needs to be met alongside reduced travel times and improved provision.
The main purpose of this role is to undertake all analytical work relating to the monitoring and forecasting of the need and capacity of statutory school age places for SEND and Alternative Provision. You will be working in collaboration with the SEND and Inclusion services to achieve this, discussing demand for provision with headteachers, academy trusts and other relevant stakeholders.
You will be providing an integrated approach to performance management, quality standards and service delivery. This role involves collating and manipulating large amounts of data to secure positive outcomes and inform decision making, so you will need to be detail orientated and have an accurate and structured approach, working within a fast-paced environment.
Employees who wish to apply for a secondment will require their manager's approval.
About You
You should be comfortable working with data and information so will need a high degree of competency with IT, to enable you to make evidence-based recommendations.
You will be required to provide expert advice and guidance to a variety of colleagues, so excellent communications skills, attention to detail and able to work to tight deadlines will be essential.
About Our Offer
Along with a competitive salary we are offering:
- A Contributory pension
- Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
- Flexible working policies
- Career progression opportunities
- A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
Further details about the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council are available here: Rewards and benefits – Lincolnshire County Council
If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role, then please contact; Emily Nicholls, Admissions and Education Provision Manager, via email emily.nicholls@lincolnshire.gov.uk
We wish you the best of luck with your application!
PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.
Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
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