JOB PURPOSE
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The Special Schools’ Service has a number of functions relating to the effective and efficient regional specialist SEN provision. The service has budgetary responsibility in the region of £200m and has full responsibility for the allocation of resources across 40 special schools. In addition, the service co-ordinates support across health and education for special schools on a range of areas relating to staff development, policy implementation, curriculum support, advice and training on resources and equipment. The Special Schools’ Service also provides over-arching support to special school leaders and staff.
The principal focus of this post will be to continually drive effective and efficient management of a specialist resourcing model to ensure that special schools are equipped to meet the needs of children and young people. The post holder will be the lead in specialist resourcing management projects and provide expert advice and support to the Specialist Resourcing Lead on innovation and good practice models.
The post holder will be directly responsible for developing and monitoring the specialist resource allocation model. The post-holder will develop, implement, monitor and manage innovative systems and procedures aimed at providing visibility of effective tracking and reporting. They will be conversant with the latest ICT techniques and will ensure SMART but challenging Key Performance Indicators are set. They will continually explore industry leading techniques and methodology for the efficient and effective management of resources.
A key output of this role would be to ensure school obligations are met at all times in relation to effective management of specialist resourcing, whilst developing centralised systems and procedures to ensure standardisation across schools and to ensure that corporate SEN priorities are delivered to a high quality, providing value for money.
The Post-holder has the following Service-Specific Responsibilities:
1. To provide accurate, timely and relevant advice and support to schools and EA Services on all matters relating to allocation of
specialist resourcing to special schools, including human resources;
2. To advise special schools on their responsibilities regarding the approved allocation of specialist resourcing and to take all reasonable steps to ensure efficient and effective staff management.
3. To provide front line support to special schools on the efficient and effective management of human resourcing allocation and any required follow-up action with the EA Special School Budgetary team and HR Services.
4. To assist the Head of Special Schools and Specialist Provisions in the achievement of Service, Divisional, Directorate and Corporate objectives.
5. To contribute to service development through consideration of new approaches to service delivery to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
6. To develop and maintain effective working relationships with Heads of Service from all Directorates in the strategic planning, management and delivery of the EA’s corporate priorities.
7. To provide clear, strategic leadership to staff to ensure the Service has a highly skilled, flexible and motivated workforce.
8. To promote and develop a strong and consistent culture of effective and efficient management of specialist resource.
location.
9. To contribute to the development of the EA’s efficient and effective management of resources, supporting policies and the implementation of processes and procedures.
10. To support the development and delivery of specialist resourcing audits and monitoring programmes.
11. To ensure that corporate SEN priorities are delivered to a high quality, provide value for money, support the delivery of Departmental policy and are consistent and integrated in approach across all areas of the EA.
12. To assist EA Services with the identification of training needs in relation to resource allocation.
13. To develop and deliver training (both face-to-face and on-line) and other awareness raising information to make schools aware of good practice and their obligations with regard to effective resource management generally.
14. To develop and implement cultural change programmes regarding resource allocation ensuring they are communicated clearly and consistently across all special schools.
15. To develop high standards of governance including the monitoring, evaluation and review of resource allocation management.
16. To establish accountability processes and robust management information systems that ensures effective tracking and reporting of resource allocation, including the provision of management information in the form of reports, dashboards, KPIs and other methods of portraying information on the current status of the service. This will include appropriate use of benchmarks and indicators to drive continual improvement, demonstrate the achievement of value for money and the delivery of ‘best in class’ services.
17. To improve and build relationships and partnerships across the EA Directorates.
18. To assist the Strategic Specialist Resourcing Lead on the adoption, implementation and monitoring of recently developed management procedures.
19. To represent the EA on internal and external working groups and committees, and to represent the Strategic Specialist Resourcing Lead on such groups in relation to SEN resource allocation.
20. To deputise and undertake additional duties for the Strategic Specialist Resourcing Lead as required.
Leadership
21. To work with the Head of Special Schools and Strategic Specialist Resourcing Lead to lead and support on quality and performance and to support and give guidance across the service.
22. To oversee the operational management of the SEN resource allocation performance monitoring and reporting systems.
23. Actively manage the resource allocation systems, ensuring all actions have been identified and recommendations made to meet efficiency and objectives set.
24. Apply resources effectively across the service.
25. To put in place a termly auditing schedule.
26. Regularly monitor the management of resource allocation by special schools against agreed key performance indicators ensuring achievement and improvement where required.
27. Attend working groups and team meetings as required.
Policy and Procedure Development
28. Contribute to the review, revision and development of existing and new policies and procedures as the need arises for the service.
29. Contribute to the Authority’s corporate strategy and plans on matters relating to SEN provision.
Other Responsibilities
30. Ensure that the Authority’s policy on Data Protection (in particular processing sensitive personal information) is properly complied with.
31. Ensure that the Authority’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant Codes of Employment and Practice and other relevant legislation are adhered to. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
32. Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff in accordance with the policy and procedures as laid down by the Authority.
33. Provide responses to Parliamentary Questions, Assembly Questions, Minister’s cases, FOI requests and other correspondence within set deadlines.
34. Undertake such other relevant duties as may be reasonably expected of the post-holder.
35. Deal with whistleblowing complaints in accordance with the Whistleblowing procedure.
36. Participate in selection or evaluation panels as required.
37. Communicate findings to senior management via formal presentations, standard management reporting on periodic/quarterly/annual basis.
38. Prepare updates and reports as required for Senior management and committee meetings with regard to performance accountability of area of responsibility.
Building Relationships and Working with Others
39. Build and maintain effective, professional, and respectful stakeholder relationships.
40. Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
Training
41. Undertake such training as may be required for the role.
42. To provide specific training and development to staff and line managers when required e.g., introduction of new processes, new regulations or the revision of existing regulations.
43. Contribute to the development and delivery of SEN Resource Allocation initiatives and programmes such as workshops and training and development initiatives for Senior Managers and service wide.