SEND Sufficiency Project Officer - FTC for 12 months

Starting salary for this role is £39,152 (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. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

Internal colleagues are also normally appointed at the bottom of the band, unless moving within the same profession and skill level, where the pay band is the same they can be appointed to the existing pay point.

Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.

SEND Sufficiency Project Officer - 37 hours per week (5 days)

Fixed Term for 12 months

Role Purpose

We are seeking to appoint a SEND Sufficiency Project Officer to support the development of BCP’s SEND and Alternative Provision Sufficiency Strategy. This is a one year fixed contract. 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 curiosity and creativity to recommend and implement more effective ways of working that enhance customer experience.
• 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. Work collaboratively to commission innovative, flexible, and sustainable services that meet the diverse needs of the SEND population.
• 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, ensuring resources are used efficiently to meet the needs of the 0-25 population.
• Establish processes to interpret business cases and provide specialist advice on achieving DSG recovery plan targets and SEND and AP improvement outcomes. Recommend changes to ensure effective implementation, contributing to continuous improvements in project delivery and service quality.
• 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. Collaborate across different areas of work to identify and implement improvements in efficiency and service continuity.
• 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. Appreciate diversity among customers and colleagues, considering specific needs when making decisions. Resolve barriers to collaboration by communicating openly and addressing unhelpful behaviour.
• 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. Within set guidelines, deploy resources when necessary to respond to customer problems or emergency situations.