SEN Finance Officer – 3 Month Contract

• Previous local authority or council SEN Finance experience is highly desirable
  


• Experience working with SEN funding, High Needs Block funding, EHCPs, and school finance
  

Summary

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.
    
  
  

• Payments, Invoicing & Financial Administration
  
  
  
  • 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 authorize 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.
    
  
  

• 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 & Competencies
  
  
  
  • 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.
    
  
  

Additional Information

• Immediate start available.
  


• 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.