At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and report on SEN funding for children and young people aged 0–25.
- Company: Civic Recruitment Limited, a key player in local authority finance.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive pay, and valuable experience in education finance.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team managing over £28 million in SEN funding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, especially within SEN or education settings, is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
SEN Finance Officer – 3 Month Contract
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 to 4 days remote, 1 to 2 days office-based
Contract: Temporary (3 Months)
Previous local authority or council SEN Finance experience is highly desirable. Experience working with SEN funding, High Needs Block funding, EHCPs, and school finance.
This temporary 3-month contract role is crucial for overseeing, managing, and reporting on Special Educational Needs (SEN) funding and expenditure for children and young people aged 0–25. The role involves managing a budget exceeding £28 million, ensuring financial compliance, accurate budgeting, timely payments, and effective financial reporting within the Statutory Assessment Service. The successful candidate will collaborate with schools, colleges, local authorities, health services, finance teams, and senior managers to ensure efficient management of SEN funding arrangements while adhering to statutory requirements.
Responsibilities
- Financial Monitoring & Budget Management
- Maintain accurate budget information based on SEN Panel decisions.
- Monitor and report on High Needs Block expenditure and projections.
- Produce monthly financial monitoring updates and spending profiles.
- Reconcile SEN budgets with Council finance systems.
- Support annual budget setting and year-end financial processes.
- Provide financial advice to managers and senior leaders.
- Verify, authorise, and arrange payment of invoices.
- Create and manage payment schedules for educational providers.
- Process payments to various educational institutions.
- Challenge non‑compliant charges and maintain records of jointly funded placements.
- Complete monthly and year‑end reconciliations.
- High Needs Funding Management
- Manage budget monitoring spreadsheets for various educational settings.
- Produce High Needs Funding Statements for schools.
- Calculate and authorise top‑up payments.
- Monitor and record support packages and placement funding.
- SEN Equipment & Procurement
- Liaise with schools and therapists regarding equipment requests.
- Present equipment requests for approval and purchase approved items.
- Monitor equipment budgets and maintain records.
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Prepare financial reports for senior management.
- Produce graphs, charts, and monitoring reports.
- Support monthly performance reporting and provide information for various requests.
- Stakeholder Management
- Build effective relationships with educational and health services.
- Support schools in understanding SEN funding processes and provide guidance.
- Service Development
- Support the development and implementation of new SEN funding processes.
- Contribute to performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.
Requirements
Knowledge
- Essential: Understanding of SEN funding arrangements, High Needs Block funding, and EHCPs.
- Desirable: Knowledge of local authority finance systems and school funding regulations.
Experience
- Essential: Experience in finance, education finance, or SEN finance environments.
- Desirable: Previous local authority or council SEN Finance experience.
Skills
- Essential: Excellent financial and numerical skills, advanced Excel skills, strong analytical abilities, and excellent communication skills.
Qualifications
- Essential: GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics.
- Desirable: AAT qualification or equivalent finance/accounting qualification.
Opportunity to manage SEN funding in excess of £28 million within a busy Statutory Assessment Service. Experience with EHCP funding and High Needs Block budgets is highly desirable.
