Roles and Responsibilities within Local SEND and Alternative Provision Partnerships: Leadership in the ‘Middle’
In this report, What Works in SEND researchers at Warwick Business School aimed to explore roles in the ‘middle’ of SEND and AP systems that contribute towards shared leadership for system improvement, with a focus upon DCOs and DSCOs, and their interaction with SEND Leads.
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Theme: Strategic partnership working/leadership and governance
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Strength: Robust
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Breadth of Impact: Promising
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Status: Quality Assured
In research on Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) systems to date, middle-level leaders have emerged as a critical part of the workforce. They take a potentially significant strategic role in supporting partnership working across education, health and social care. In this report, What Works in SEND researchers at Warwick Business School aimed to explore roles in the ‘middle’ of SEND and AP systems that contribute towards shared leadership for system improvement, with a focus upon Designated Clinical Officers and Designated Social Care Officers, and their interaction with SEND Leads.
The research outlined three key challenges for middle leaders in the SEND system:
- The Role Challenge: Job Description & Accountability, Strategic Influence, Building Relationships & Networks
- The Organisational Challenge: Structures, Culture, Strategy
- The People Management Challenge: Senior Leadership Support, Training & Learning, Funding & Capacity