Service Manager (SEND) - #2148052

Partnership Service Manager (SEND Reform)

Location: Birmingham / West Midlands (Hybrid Working)
Contract: 12-18 Months
Rate: £400-£600 per day
Start: ASAP

We are seeking an experienced Partnership Service Manager to play a key role in delivering a high-profile SEND transformation programme within one of the UK's largest local authority areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the implementation of national SEND reforms, working across education, health and wider partner organisations to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The role will provide direct support to senior leadership, helping to coordinate partnership activity, oversee governance arrangements, drive programme delivery and ensure effective collaboration across a complex stakeholder landscape.

The Role

Working within a fast-paced and high-profile environment, you will:

• Support and deputise for the Director during the delivery of SEND reform programmes.
• Coordinate activity arising from SEND Board meetings, including reporting, governance and action tracking.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across education, health and local authority partners.
• Work closely with mainstream and specialist schools, parent and carer forums, and wider stakeholders.
• Support the implementation of key transformation initiatives, including the rollout of new delivery models across Birmingham's 10 districts.
• Facilitate partnership discussions, resolve challenges and help maintain momentum across multiple work streams.
• Provide oversight of programme reporting, performance monitoring and stakeholder engagement activities.

This role sits at the heart of a major transformation programme, balancing significant service improvement ambitions against a backdrop of increasing demand for SEND services.

About You

We are looking for an individual who combines strong operational SEND expertise with excellent partnership and stakeholder management skills.You will ideally have:

• Significant experience working within SEND services.
• A strong understanding of operational SEND delivery and the challenges facing the sector.
• Experience working across complex partnerships involving education, health and/or local government organisations.
• Strong governance, reporting and programme coordination experience.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• The ability to influence and engage a wide range of stakeholders at all levels.
• We would particularly welcome applications from candidates who are:
• Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Proactive, resilient and solutions-focused.
• Comfortable working at pace within a demanding transformation environment.
• Committed to high standards and continuous improvement.
• Able to build credibility quickly and work effectively across organisational boundaries.

Working Arrangements

The client is seeking someone who can establish a strong local presence and build effective relationships through regular face-to-face engagement. Attendance at in-person SEND Board meetings, held approximately every six weeks, will be required, alongside regular on-site stakeholder engagement across the West Midlands.

If you are an experienced SEND professional looking to play a pivotal role in one of the country's most ambitious SEND transformation programmes, we'd love to hear from you.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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