SEND Finance Manager

Job Introduction

SEND Finance Support Officer

Children's Services - SEND Lincolnshire County Council

Salary: Grade 9

Full Time | Permanent

Hybrid Working

Make a difference where financial decisions directly improve outcomes for children and young people

Lincolnshire County Council is continuing to invest significantly in its SEND services as part of a wider improvement and transformation programme. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly organised SEND Finance Support Officer to help strengthen financial oversight and commissioning arrangements across our SEND system.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing team at a time of significant service improvement. The role will support strategic financial planning, commissioning oversight and financial governance across a range of SEND services and provision, helping ensure resources are used effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Working closely with SEND leaders, placement teams, commissioning colleagues and corporate finance, you will provide specialist financial analysis, monitoring and reporting across High Needs Block funded services and commissioned SEND provision.

About the Role

The postholder will play a key role in supporting financial sustainability across SEND services by:

• Monitoring SEND budgets, expenditure and financial commitments.
• Supporting financial forecasting and budget management across High Needs funded services.
• Tracking specialist placement expenditure and identifying emerging financial pressures.
• Monitoring Out of Authority funding and recoupment arrangements.
• Supporting financial oversight of EOTAS, Alternative Provision and commissioned packages.
• Monitoring commissioned therapies and specialist interventions.
• Supporting commissioning and procurement activity.
• Producing reports and financial analysis for senior leaders and governance boards.
• Using financial intelligence to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.

You will also contribute to the ongoing development of financial systems, processes and reporting arrangements to ensure the Council continues to meet its statutory responsibilities whilst achieving value for money.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who can combine strong financial and analytical skills with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

You will ideally have:

• Experience of working within a finance, commissioning, contracts or performance-management environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience of interpreting and presenting complex financial information.
• Excellent Excel and data analysis skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, providers and partner organisations.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines. Experience of SEND, education, social care commissioning, public sector finance or High Needs Block funding would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to become part of an ambitious and improving SEND service that is investing in additional capacity and new ways of working.

In return we offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Commitment to learning and development.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities to influence strategic commissioning and financial decision-making within one of the Council's highest-profile service areas.

Key Message for Candidates

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, finance and commissioning information, but who also wants to see a direct impact on the lives of children and young people. You will help ensure resources are targeted effectively, services remain sustainable and families receive the support they need at the right time.

Interested?

If you are ready for a role where you can lead, shape and make a lasting impact, we would welcome your application.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Katie Marsden, Head of SEND, by emailing katie.marsden@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council 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.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.