South West Regional Health Lead Practitioner

Are you passionate about improving health outcomes for children and young people with SEND.  This is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic health integration across the South West, strengthening partnerships and driving reforms that make a real difference. You’ll work at the heart of a supportive collaborative network, influencing policy and practice in the region.

You will help us to: 

• Shape the future of health and SEND integration across multiple localities.
• Work alongside regional senior leaders, ICSs, NHS trusts, and national partners.
• Be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team committed to inclusion and equity.
• Access professional development and leadership opportunities to support your career progression.

You will be

• Leading strategic planning and delivery of the South West SEND plan.
• Establishing and maintaining regional health networks involving ICSs, NHS trusts, and local authorities.
• Promoting high-quality, person-centred health services and ensuring co-production with partners and communities.
• Advising on alignment of education, health, and care priorities and representing the region in national forums.
• Managing regional health grants and ensuring compliance with statutory duties and emerging health policies.

We’re looking for an experienced health leader with:

• A Master’s level qualification (or equivalent) in public health, healthcare management, or related field.
• Professional health qualification (e.g., nursing, therapies, public health).
• Experience in children’s health services and/or SEND and multi-agency working.
• Strong knowledge of health legislation, integrated care systems, and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Proven ability to lead change, manage complex projects, and build strong partnerships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact [email protected].

This post requires significant travel; you must have a suitable vehicle available for use.

The role involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

Location: South West Region (significant travel required)

Contract: Part-time (18.5 hours per week)

Fixed term: 1 year

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.