At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the High Needs Brokerage service and manage external placements for children with complex needs.
- Company: Join Norfolk County Council, dedicated to supporting children and young people with special educational needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous holidays, and health and wellbeing services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while enjoying a supportive and collaborative work culture.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, organisational abilities, and experience in service management are essential.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; ideal for those seeking work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 30700 - 31750 £ per year.
High Needs Brokerage Assistant Manager | 8373 | permanent contract | 37 hours per week | £36,124 to £37,938 per annum | Grade I | Countywide
The Integrated Commissioning Team in Childrens Services are seeking a High Needs Brokerage Assistant Manager to lead on a service to manage externally commissioned placements in Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools.
Where children and young people in Norfolk with specialist or complex needs require additional support, this can be delivered in-house, or it can be sourced and commissioned externally. When we do commission externally, we want to ensure that children and young people get the best support possible, achieve the best outcomes and get the best value out of public money.
This role presents an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the brokerage service to ensure we are achieving excellent outcomes for Norfolk children and young people. You will play a pivotal role in working with providers and planning the best use of resources to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND.
Our Ideal Candidate Will Be
- An effective communicator with good interpersonal skills.
- Organised, with a methodical approach to processes and an eye for detail.
- A good negotiator with experience in relationship management.
- Experienced in developing and managing services.
Whilst experience in a Local Authority would be beneficial, we welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds and will be looking for cross-transferable skills.
Main Duties
- Lead the High Needs Brokerage service, developing and implementing a delivery plan.
- Develop and manage processes to monitor placement data and use analysis to create reports.
- Attend panel meetings and provide market intelligence to senior panel members.
- Manage and develop staff so that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to source and maintain the supply of high-quality SEND placements.
- Develop good relationships with external providers and negotiate on provision and costs where needed.
- Liaise with and develop good working relationships with external SEND providers, and teams within Childrens Services.
Our team and work culture are supportive flexible hybrid working is a key feature of this role. We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our different workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people.
Flexibility is built into the way we work. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. It is important that you have good broadband connectivity if working from home.
If you would like an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Jenny Cuthbert on 01603 306542 or email
Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.
These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working dependent on your job role and business need.
- Financial benefits such as:
- Norfolk Rewards our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants pensions.
- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job
You can find information on our Terms and Conditions here.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.
Redeployment closing date: 07 July 2025
All other applicants closing date: 13 July 2025
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High Needs Brokerage Assistant Manager employer: CEMP
Contact Detail:
CEMP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land High Needs Brokerage Assistant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the current landscape of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) services in Norfolk. Understanding the local context and the specific needs of children and young people will help you demonstrate your commitment and insight during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of children's services and SEND. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to connect with potential colleagues and providers, which can give you an edge in understanding the dynamics of the role and the expectations of external partnerships.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your negotiation skills, as this role requires effective relationship management with external providers. Consider role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor to practice articulating your points clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in developing and managing services. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led projects or initiatives, as this will showcase your ability to lead the High Needs Brokerage service effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace High Needs Brokerage Assistant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the High Needs Brokerage Assistant Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these specific needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have in managing services, relationship management, or working within a Local Authority. Use specific examples to demonstrate your effectiveness in these areas.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since effective communication is key for this role, provide examples of how you've successfully communicated with various stakeholders in previous positions. This could include negotiating with providers or presenting data to senior members.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application is personalised. Address the specific qualities mentioned in the job description, such as being organised and having an eye for detail. Use keywords from the job listing to ensure your application stands out.
How to prepare for a job interview at CEMP
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Assistant Manager, effective communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with various stakeholders, especially in challenging situations. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Highlight your methodical approach to processes during the interview. Discuss specific instances where your organisational skills led to successful outcomes, particularly in managing complex data or projects related to SEND placements.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiation is a crucial part of this role, be ready to discuss your experience in negotiating with external providers. Consider preparing a mock negotiation scenario to showcase your skills and thought process.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Authority Practices
While experience in a Local Authority is beneficial, understanding its practices is essential. Research Norfolk County Council's approach to SEND and be prepared to discuss how your background can contribute to their goals.