SEND Transformation Programme Lead
£700-£800 Ltd per day (Outside IR35)
12-18 months (subject to review)
Strategic Lead for Education (Project Sponsor)
About the Role:
An experienced SEND Transformation Programme Lead is required to drive and oversee Priority 5 of Sutton Council's SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy-the delivery of a Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) management plan to establish a financially sustainable system in Sutton.
This key role involves close collaboration with seconded staff (Senior Educational Psychologist, Primary and Secondary Headteachers) and non-seconded staff (Head of SEND, Managing Director of Cognus), along with key stakeholders such as the Sutton SEND Forum. The focus will be on delivering three core areas agreed by the Sutton Education Leadership Group:
- Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) Implementation
- Specialist Commissioning
- Specialist/Mainstream Funding Arrangements
Key Responsibilities:
Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP)
- Develop and embed guidance for early identification of SEND needs to reduce Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs).
- Implement curriculum adaptations for pupils with Autism and SEMH needs.
- Standardise the 'IMT model' linking to Vulnerable Pupils and SEND panels.
- Develop a data dashboard for transparent inclusion metrics.
- Establish enhanced mainstream pathways focusing on functional life skills.
- Launch transitional support plans for Early Years and Year 6-7 students.
SEND Commissioning
- Collaborate with the Pupil Based Commissioning service to ensure specialist provision sufficiency.
- Review learner profiles in specialist provisions to support mainstream inclusion.
- Evaluate resource bases and SEMH provisions to align with inclusion goals.
- Strengthen outreach programmes from specialist providers.
SEND Funding
- Review funding decision-making and cost-control processes.
- Optimise the Annual Review process to manage provision effectively.
- Analyse high-cost placements and explore joint arrangements with Health and Social Care.
- Propose alternative funding models, including cluster-level delegation and increased notional SEND allocations.
- Enhance the effectiveness of SENCO clusters.
Main Accountabilities:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive SEND transformation programme.
- Identify and manage dependencies, risks, and issues.
- Engage with senior leaders to drive system change.
- Foster inclusive education, health, and social care provision for SEND.
- Build and maintain positive stakeholder relationships to ensure successful delivery.
Person Specification:
- Degree-level education or relevant postgraduate/professional qualification.
- In-depth knowledge of the SEND system within a Local Authority setting.
- Evidence of continuous professional and managerial development.
- Extensive experience in managing complex SEND transformation programmes.
- Ability to engage with senior leadership and challenge existing systems.
- Strong understanding of local government dynamics and economic impacts.
- Expertise in Efficiency, Value for Money, Business Improvement, and Performance Management.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent negotiation, persuasion, and leadership abilities.
- Proven capability in driving cultural change and innovation in complex systems.
