This senior post leads Early Years Funding and Family Information Services in Harrow Council's Education Services division, reporting to the Early Years Lead Adviser. It oversees the Families Information Service, childcare sufficiency and the distribution of the roughly £39 million Early Years Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant. The role carries significant budget responsibility and works with elected members, schools and providers across the borough. Candidates need extensive knowledge of early years legislation and funding, and proven experience managing budgets.
What the job involves
- Provide strategic leadership across early years funding, childcare and family support services
- Oversee management and distribution of the Early Years Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant, around £39 million a year
- Lead the Families Information Service
- Lead the childcare sufficiency strategy
- Oversee early years funding administration and associated data and intelligence functions
- Ensure the Council meets its statutory duties in early years and family support
- Give expert advice on complex policy, funding, performance and market development matters
- Develop strategies and systems so services stay compliant, efficient and responsive
- Maintain a sustainable, accessible and inclusive childcare market across the borough
- Manage significant budgets and resources
- Drive service improvement and use data and insight to inform decisions
- Work with senior leaders, elected members, schools, providers, government bodies and partner organisations
What’s required
Experience
- Significant leadership experience in a complex public sector, education, childcare or family services environment
- Proven experience managing substantial budgets, funding programmes and financial performance
- Experience leading service improvement, transformation programmes and organisational change
- Experience working across multiple agencies and sectors in partnership
Skills & knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and funding for early years, childcare and family support
- Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data, identify trends and inform strategic decisions
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, including presenting to senior leaders, elected members and external partners
- Strong partnership-building and stakeholder management skills
- Strategic, collaborative, outcome-focused leadership style, with ability to manage risk and drive performance
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
