Job summary
Are you an experienced and motivated professional with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities?

We are seeking a SEND and Transition Lead to provide citywide leadership for the School Health public health offer and clinical pathways relating to SEND and transition.

You will work with School Health teams and partner organisations to develop a consistent, evidence-based approach to assessment, early intervention and support. A key focus will be improving transitions into, between and out of education settings, including primary to secondary school and Key Stage 4 to post-16 provision. This will be a key role for the service to support the implementation of strategic reforms such as Experts At Hand and Families First.

Main duties of the job
You will be a registered nurse, or hold a PGCE and/or SENCO qualification. Registered nurse applicants must hold a Specialist Community Public Health Nursing degree. You will bring relevant SEND experience, credible leadership skills, strong knowledge of the Healthy Child Programme and safeguarding, and the ability to influence and deliver service improvement across organisational boundaries.

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - a great place to shape your career.With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you're part of something bigger from day one.

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 349-LCOD-8280729-RL4
Job locations: Trafford - various locations/bases
Trafford
M32 0TH
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place _, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading_ and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

• Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
• Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
• Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential

• Registered Nurse OR PGCE and/or SENCO qualification
• Registered Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) degree (for Registered Nurses only)
• Relevant training/ qualifications to project area or appropriate relevant experience

Desirable

• Significant experience of working children and young people with SEND

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of management/leadership development
• Evidence of further development in relation to public health/Healthy Child Programme

Desirable

• Evidence of project management

Skills and Ability
Essential

• Experience and evidence of professional leadership skills
• Caseload management skills
• Substantial school health experience at Band 6 or above
• Experience and evidence of prioritising work, delegation and working autonomously
• Evidence of excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Problem solving ability
• IT literate e.g. word processing and email and internet use

Desirable

• Experience of staff development
• Audit and Evaluation Skills

Knowledge and Understanding
Essential

• Understanding and commitment to Healthy Child Programme and Public Health Agenda
• Knowledge of national and local drivers for service development
• Knowledge and understanding of current evidence-based practice (essential with regard to Healthy Child Programme)
• Knowledge and experience of community development
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies, procedures, and practice
• Understanding of the need for appropriate information sharing and integrated working to promote positive health outcomes

Other Requirements
Essential

• Self-awareness and ability to reflect and constructively challenge both own and others' practices and behaviours
• Strengths based approach to practice
• Committed to positively promoting the health and well-being of children and families
• Self-motivated and an ability to motivate others. Positive, professional role model
• Flexible and adaptable to changing needs of the School Health Service
• Access to the use of a car to enable borough wide working

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trafford - various locations/bases
Trafford
M32 0TH
United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Head of Service
Susan Blake
susan.blake@mft.nhs.uk
01619123884

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 349-LCOD-8280729-RL4
Job locations: Trafford - various locations/bases
Trafford
M32 0TH
United Kingdom

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