SEND Sufficiency Project Officer - Part time 2 days (18 month FTC) in Bournemouth

Starting salary for this role is £38,220 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception, all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation.

We are seeking to appoint a fixed term SEND Sufficiency Project Officer to support the development of BCP’s SEND and Alternative Provision Sufficiency Strategy. Our strategy forms part of our ambitious plan to transform SEND and AP services in BCP. Aligned to our SEND and AP Improvement Plan, the postholder will be working closely with the SEND and Inclusion teams to develop innovative models of provision and provide child-focused solutions for the children and young people in BCP.

Main Responsibilities

• Working across services, co-ordinate the delivery of SEND and AP Sufficiency projects, ensuring team members produce high-quality outputs aligned with project objectives.
• Coach others to understand the planning, development and delivery of projects using project processes and contribute to the success of the entire team by encouraging open communication, celebrating achievements, and providing constructive feedback.
• Foster an environment that welcomes new ideas and is positive about change.
• Use established systems to track key programme metrics, manage benefits, and highlight variances and trends.
• Ensure the smooth running of governance arrangements, contributing to the effective management and control of project progress.
• Regularly review quality to assess risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them.
• Build strong partnerships within the Council and with other stakeholders, including education, strategic commissioning, social care, health, and private and voluntary sectors.
• Support the Place Planning Manager and Service lead in the analysis necessary to undertake work agreed as part of the Joint Strategic Needs Analysis Assessment.
• Assist in the coordination and co-production of updated data and information including live data obtained ‘at the front door’ ensuring evidence-based decision making.
• Support the development of systems that enable the commissioning of high-quality SEND and AP provision in line with national and local indicators including 5–10-year projections.
• Establish processes to interpret business cases and provide specialist advice on achieving DSG recovery plan targets and SEND and AP improvement outcomes.
• Take a proactive approach to managing a complex case load, understanding and addressing diverse customer needs.
• Provide complex and specialist advice on a range of issues, using analytical skills to interpret customer data and highlight relevant trends to support informed decision-making.
• Coordinate workflows and systems to ensure efficient project management.
• Present information and recommendations clearly and effectively, making evidence-based, outcome-focused decisions using proactive risk management.
• Use strong interpersonal skills to develop solutions to complex or contentious problems where options may be unclear or conflicting.
• Contribute to the development of policy and procedures within your area using insights from customer data and feedback.
• Maintain authoritative knowledge of relevant work practices, legal and regulatory requirements, and best practices, ensuring compliance and broader commercial awareness.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers and stakeholders, recognizing the impact on service outcomes.
• Continuously develop your own knowledge and skills through exposure to different activities and by learning from experienced colleagues.
• Plan and organize your own workload in an environment with changing demands and tight deadlines.

The Ideal Candidate

• Relevant professional degree (or equivalent experience) with clearly evidenced continuous professional development.
• Good knowledge of ICT including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other programmes relevant to the role.
• Authoritative knowledge of the work practices, processes and procedures relevant to SEND statutory services.
• High level of resilience with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to develop solutions to complex or contentious problems.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to resolve any barriers to collaborating with others.
• Must be able to travel, using public or other forms of transport where they are viable, or by holding a valid UK driving licence with access to own or pool car.

This is a fixed term appointment for up to 18 months. This post is based at BCP Bournemouth but offers some ability to work remotely from home in accordance with business need.

If you are interested in this role and have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact jo.djora@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP.

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services.

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.