Specialist Provision Officer

- Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
- £32,076 per annum (pro rata if part time)
- 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
- Permanent
We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Specialist Provision Officer.
You will work in the Provider Services Team within the Inclusion Service, to contract manage a range of independent schools.
If you have strong knowledge of legislation and procedures in relation to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and have experience in seeking and supporting improvements within education settings, then this may be the role for you.
Your role and responsibilities
You will report to the Specialist Provision Manager and be at the forefront in ensuring that robust quality assurance systems are embedded across special schools, pupil referral units, small group settings, alternative provision and independent providers.
This includes reviewing and ensuring framework tools are up to date, supporting a team with developing high quality auditing skills whilst also being involved in service redesign, market development, procurement, provider relationships and contract management activity.
Alongside multi-agency and partnership working, some of the key responsibilities of your role will include:
- ensuring the providers allocated to you continue to comply with contractual expectations through monitoring visits and review meetings to ensure Suffolk Children and Young People receive high quality education with a commitment to safeguarding and welfare.
You will need
- experience and knowledge of policies and procedures relating to the curriculum, health and safety, safeguarding, behaviour, attendance, relating to education settings
- experience and evidence of impact in working across agencies to secure positive outcomes for vulnerable children and young people
- evidence of working with education settings to secure required improvements.
You can view a full list of requirements in the  Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The team contributes towards the development and delivery of the SEND Sufficiency Plan to improve the local offer and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and ensuring there is high quality management information to inform need and service gap analysis. The team are also responsible for provider development and management and quality of specialist education provision.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Emily Alleyne (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling (01473) 263603 or by emailing Emily.alleyne@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 -  Upload a  supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section  of the  JPP. 
You should use the Supporting Statement template (docx).
Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412.  If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 22 May 2024
Interview date: 4 June 2024
This authority 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. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
plus more!
If you would like to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Working for Suffolk County Council pages (www.Suffolk.gov.uk/careers).