SEND Reforms Programme Manager

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated SEND Reforms Programme Manager to lead a major programme of improvement that will strengthen services and transform outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This is a highly influential role within Children’s Services, focused on turning national SEND reforms and local priorities into sustainable, system‑wide change. You will work across education, health and social care, placing children, young people and families at the centre of everything you do.

About the role

You will lead a multi‑year programme of SEND reform, translating national policy, inspection feedback and best practice into clear plans and measurable improvements. Working within strong governance arrangements, you will ensure the programme delivers pace, impact and accountability while supporting long‑term system transformation.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and coordinate the end‑to‑end delivery of SEND reform and transformation activity, aligned with national policy and the local Accelerated Progress Plan.
• Drive effective partnership working across education, health, social care, commissioning, finance, schools, providers and the voluntary and community sector.
• Embed coproduction at the heart of the programme, ensuring lived experience meaningfully shapes design, decisions and outcomes.
• Oversee needs analysis, market sufficiency and commissioning planning, developing robust business cases and innovative solutions to address gaps in provision.
• Monitor progress and impact, producing high‑quality programme documentation and reports to support assurance and decision‑making.

This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic direction, shape future models of SEND support and deliver lasting improvements for children and families over the coming years.

About you

You will be a confident and credible programme or transformation leader, with experience of delivering complex change in a public sector or system‑wide environment. You will be comfortable operating at pace, balancing strategic oversight with practical delivery, and working in partnership across organisational boundaries.

You will bring:

• A strong track record of leading complex programmes and driving service or system transformation.
• Experience of partnership working and influencing across multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, able to adapt your approach for different audiences.
• A collaborative, resilient and solutions‑focused approach, with the confidence to work in a political environment.

 

Other information

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Tracy Farrow-Stevenson (PA to Aman Sekhon-Gill) at: [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 11th May

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/