Transformation & Project Lead (Send And Education)

Transformation & Project Lead (SEND and Education)

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £49,498 - £54,707 Per Annum, Plus Benefits
Location: Wokingham Borough Council
Contract: Contract
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 03/03/2024 at 23:00
Reference: 712841 and 712842

We have an exciting new opportunity available for a Transformation and Project Lead to join our Children’s Commissioning Team here at Wokingham Borough Council on a 2-year fixed term contract.

As the Transformation and Project Lead you will contribute to the delivery of an ambitious strategic improvement programme across SEND. The post offers a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across the department, the council and with partners from across the Health System, to innovate, develop and implement positive change for the children and young people of Wokingham.

The Children’s Commissioning Team covers SEND, Education, Early Years, Social Care and Early Help and so there are plenty of opportunities be involved in and work across a number of different portfolios, although these will primarily be focussed on SEND and Education in the first instance.

Some of the key areas of focus in the team and where you may be asked to focus on/provide support to are:

• Service design and mobilisation of specialist SEND Provision including working with the DfE and academy provider to open two new SEND Free Schools
• Service redesign and recommissioning of Alternative Provision/Pupil Referral Unit
• Develop and implement SEND Sufficiency  Strategy to ensure appropriate provision and support services across education, social care and health

 Key Responsibilities:

• To lead on distinct programme areas and/or projects within the portfolio of commissioning activity (SEND and Education)
• To lead, project manage and/or support, service and strategy development and co-production with service users, internal colleagues, external partners, and the wider community, ensuring the voice of the child and young person is central.
• To lead and contribute to all stages in the commissioning cycle, for populations of children, young people, and families including needs analysis, development of strategies, plans and services; procurement of services, contract monitoring and evaluation, and service/market development.

Candidate requirements:

The ideal candidate/s will be someone with a keen interest in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, who is committed to making a difference and enjoys working in a fast paced and sometimes pressured environment.

• Experience working in the SEND/education, health or social care sector or can demonstrate strong knowledge of those sectors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to analyse information, data and possess strong report writing skills.
• You will need to have an enquiring mind and be confident asking challenging questions to get a detailed understanding of services and provider performance.
• experienced in project management or transformation it is desirable to have some contract knowledge and commissioning experience of Children and Young People’s Services.

We offer an incredible benefits package which includes generous annual leave, an enhanced local government pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, a range of discounts and much more!

For an informal chat about the role please contact Carey Tulloch on carey.tulloch@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 3rd March 2024, 11pm

Interview date: Week Commencing 11^th March 2024

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful.  Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.  All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer. 

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Further information on this vacancy

• Job Description