Description
We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.
This full-time position has a starting salary of £70,975 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.
This is a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity until March 2027. For internal candidates, please discuss with your current Line Manager before submitting your application.
We are excited to be hiring a new SEND Sufficiency Programme Manager to join our fantastic Commissioning team based at Victoria Gate in Woking.
Supporting children and young people is a key focus for our team, working together with internal and external stakeholders in a collegiate and supportive environment. This role is open to hybrid working and as a team we split our time between collaborating together in the office and working from home. The ability to travel to venues and educational settings across Surrey is crucial to the role.
Rewards and Benefits
1. 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
2. Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
3. An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
4. Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
5. Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
6. A generous local government salary related pension
7. Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
8. 2 paid volunteering days per year
9. Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
This key role is located in CFL Commissioning AND & Social Care, positioned at the heart of Surrey's 'Children, Families and Life Long learning Directorate (CFLL)', supporting continued transformation and achievement against the Council's key priorities.
SEND Sufficiency Programme Manager, your role will be focused on the strategic management and delivery of the SEND Sufficiency programme, in line with the priorities of both Surrey County Council, and the Department for Education. The key focus of this role is to explore collaborative approaches with Schools and Trusts, to develop new provision within local communities so that children with additional needs can be educated closer to home and alongside siblings.
The day-to-day activities of this role involve:
10. Direct engagement with key internal and external stakeholders including schools and multi-academy trusts
11. The development and delivery of new SEND provision in mainstream and specialist settings through forging effective working relationships with services across the Council
12. The completion of effective briefings, decision reports and performance submissions
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:
13. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to develop and nurture strong, positive relationships
14. Ability to work collaboratively with a range of senior stakeholders in an Education setting to coordinate and deliver a complex programme of work
15. Excellent programme leadership ability with significant experience of leading and delivering programmes, including effective reporting and oversight
16. Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills with ability to translate vision into actionable plans
17. Experience of public sector governance and the production of decision-making reports and briefings to senior directors and Cabinet Members
18. Creative and adaptive approach with ability to work at pace to identify and capitalise on opportunities
Application Questions:
19. Describe a time when you successfully led a strategic programme which involved collaborative working. What approach did you take to build strong relationships, and how did this contribute to the programme's success?
20. Tell us about a complex programme you've managed from inception to delivery. How did you ensure effective oversight, reporting, and alignment with organisational priorities? What impact did the programme have?
21. Give an example of a time you identified a strategic opportunity or challenge. How did you analyse the situation, and what actions did you take to deliver a solution or capitalise on the opportunity?
22. Describe your experience preparing decision-making reports or briefings for senior leaders or elected members. How did you ensure the information was clear, evidence-based, and aligned with governance requirements?
Contact Us
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14/09/2025 with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application,