Suffolk County Council
Specialist Provision Manager (Further Education)
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- Suffolk County Council
Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
Contract: Permanent
We’re focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. How? By listening to our people, learning from what they say and creating a culture of mutual respect, where everyone works together to achieve great things.
About the Role
As a Specialist Provision Manager, Further Education in the Provider Services Team, you’ll be as keen to collaborate and build a bright future as we are.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your Role and Responsibilities
You will play a key role in overseeing contract management for specialist education across further education providers. You will work with providers, colleagues and partners to make sure provision meets the standards expected for Suffolk young people.
In this role, you will:
- hold regular provider review meetings with further education providers and build positive working relationships
- work closely with the Funding Hub to make sure commissioned numbers are accurate and funding is used appropriately and monitor services for financial viability, risk quality and delivery.
- help provision adapt to meet the changing needs of children and young people in Suffolk with post-16 further education needs
- provide complex information to colleagues and partners, and share updates on current developments and emerging issues
- work with senior colleagues to support changes to policy, procedures, monitoring and recording practice
Most importantly, you will help drive up contract performance so that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have the best possible outcomes.
You will need
We’re looking for someone who can bring strong organisation, communication and relationship-building skills to the role. You will be confident working with data, managing competing priorities and using information to support good decision-making.
You will bring:
- a suitable professional qualification at graduate level, or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work
- the ability to analyse information, identify trends and solve problems
- high level planning skills and the ability to manage projects or day-to-day business processes
- well-developed communication skills, including the ability to engage with professional stakeholders
- Lead effective meetings and negotiate with a range of stakeholders
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/24585-Specialist-Provision-Manager.docx], which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.
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If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The Provider Services Team leads on provider-facing work and helps make sure specialist provision is well placed to deliver positive outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
The team supports the development and delivery of the SEND Sufficiency Plan, improving the Local Offer in Suffolk.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report [https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/the-councils-equality-and-inclusion-commitment-to-you].
For more information
Please contact Steve Newman for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 260012 or emailing steve.newman@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word). [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/24585-Specialist-Provision-Manager.docx]
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/Other-Docs/SupportingStatementTemplate.docx].
- Tell us about a time when you managed contracts or monitored the performance of a service, provider, or commissioned provision. What approach did you take and what was the outcome?
- Share an example of when you built and maintained effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including external partners. How did you ensure positive outcomes for everyone involved?
- Tell us about a time when you led a project or significant piece of work involving multiple stakeholders. How did you plan, coordinate, and monitor progress to achieve your objectives?
- Give an example of when you had to communicate complex information to different audiences. How did you adapt your approach and ensure understanding?
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/657088].
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/764097] to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/757078].
Closing date: 11.30pm, 20 September 2026.
Interview date: Monday 5th / Tuesday 6th October.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) [https://careers.suffolk.gov.uk/].
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