The Service & Team:
Lead the future of Education and SEND commissioning in one of the UK’s most forward-thinking councils.
Cornwall Council is nationally recognised for innovative, integrated commissioning — built on strong partnerships across health, education, and social care. We’re developing a professional commissioning discipline that blends best practice, robust evidence, and co-design with communities, creating an environment where commissioners can thrive and make a measurable difference.
As our Head of Education and SEND Commissioning, you’ll set the standard for excellence across three critical areas:
- Children with Disabilities
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Home to School Transport
These services directly influence inclusion, wellbeing, and long-term life chances for children and young people in Cornwall. This is more than a leadership role — it’s your chance to build a team, shape the market, and make Cornwall an exemplar in children’s commissioning nationally.
Your Impact
You will be the strategic commissioning lead for these areas — defining what good looks like, setting the long-term vision, and ensuring outcomes are delivered. You’ll be a visible ambassador for what matters most, influencing senior decision-makers, making a compelling case for change, and driving innovation at scale.
In this role, you will:
- Lead the medium-to-long-term strategy for education and SEND commissioning.
- Shape and sustain the marketplace to ensure quality, sufficiency, and sustainability.
- Drive large-scale transformation and major programmes of change.
- Align and optimise resources across education, health, social care, and transport.
- Embed savings and efficiencies through strong commissioning and contract management. Act as accountable lead for pooled budgets and joint commissioning arrangements.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines strategic vision combined with delivery excellence. You’ll bring:
- Significant senior-level commissioning experience — ideally in education, SEND, or children’s services (transferable experience considered).
- A track record in market shaping, transformation, and delivering large-scale change. The ability to influence at the highest levels, backed by curiosity, evidence-led thinking, and the courage to focus on what matters most.
Why Join Us
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of education and SEND in a council known for innovation, strong partnerships, and delivering real impact. You’ll join a high-performing team with the resources, support, and political commitment to deliver ambitious change.
We offer:
- A competitive salary
- Flexible hybrid working
- Generous annual leave, with the option to purchase additional days
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- A nationally recognised employee wellbeing programme
- Access to a wide range of discounts on goods and services
- Relocation support, if applicable.
- The chance to lead work that transforms lives — and sets a national benchmark
Apply now and help us deliver the next chapter in Cornwall’s commissioning excellence.
Additional Information:
Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.
The full role profile is attached here .
For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk
Application Process
Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process .
Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.
Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.