Finance Business Partner - High Needs & SEND

Penna; Greater London; On-site; GBP 69,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Penna is recruiting a Finance Business Partner for High Needs & SEND within a London local authority. You will provide strategic financial advice, lead on SEND Reforms and manage budgets, forecasts and financial risk across the service.

You will partner with service leadership to shape plans, analyse cost drivers, develop financial models and ensure optimal use of resources while navigating public sector constraints and governance requirements.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or part-qualified with a plan to achieve full qualification within nine months.
• Evidence of post- qualification continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead finance partner for SEND Reforms and related transformation programmes.
• Monitor and report SEND budgets, forecasts, risks and mitigations.
• Support delivery of SEND improvement and deficit management plans.
• Analyse SEND cost drivers and model long-term impacts.
• Review SEND systems and processes for improvement.
• Collaborate with SEND and Transformation teams on reform plans.
• Provide expert financial advice on SEND and High Needs funding.

Skills

Strategic financial insight

Stakeholder management

Forecasting and budgeting

Commercial acumen

Education

Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

Post-qualification CPD

Part-qualified with plan to achieve full qualification

Job description

Finance Business Partner - High Needs & SEND

Apply before 17/09/2026

Salary / Day Rate - £68,784 to £72,399

Contract Type - Perm

Location - LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITY

Finance Business Partners are responsible for implementing the business partnering function for the assigned service area, in this case Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), supporting delivery of SEND reforms. The role is pivotal in providing strategic support in all aspects of financial advice for the service across the organisation.

They act as partners with service leadership teams to develop, constructively challenge and support service plans and project delivery, while taking responsibility for managing and reporting on operational performance for the business partnering function.

The post holder will be required to:

• Control the deployment and allocation of service resources within the overall corporate and legislative framework and be accountable for the performance of the service area against agreed objectives.
• Support the development of the budget for the relevant service area and contribute to wider service planning.
• Be professionally accountable for interventions within their area of responsibility.

The post holder will be required to assess situations from a commercial, business or finance perspective and provide appropriate financial advice to support complex business decisions. They will work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the best use of limited financial resources, providing the strategic financial insight, intelligence and support required.

The post holder will produce high quality financial analysis and provide robust assessment of financial risk to support decision making.

As well as being an excellent technical accountant, the successful candidate will think strategically and support the organisation to achieve its objectives, while being aware of the political and commercial context. They will think innovatively, focus on key priorities and make clear decisions.

Please note that, for this specific role, Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not available. Applicants must already hold valid UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities

This role will be responsible for supporting the implementation of SEND Reforms:

• Act as lead finance business partner for SEND Reforms and associated transformation programmes, providing strategic financial advice to programme boards and senior leadership.
• Monitor and report SEND budgets, forecasts, risks and mitigations.
• Support delivery of SEND improvement plans, deficit management plans and transformation programmes.
• Analyse SEND cost drivers and identify sustainable financial solutions, including developing financial models for long term impacts and scenario modelling.
• Review SEND systems and business processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work closely with SEND and Transformation colleagues to implement comprehensive financial and operational SEND Reform plans.
• Provide expert technical financial advice and demonstrate detailed knowledge of all financial aspects relating to SEND and High Needs funding.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or part-qualified with a demonstrable plan to achieve full qualification within nine months.
• Evidence of post-qualification continuing professional development.

Terms and Conditions

The following conditions apply to this role:

• Satisfactory employment references and identity checks.
• Satisfactory declaration of interests.
• Satisfactory DBS check.
• Continued professional body registration where applicable.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value diversity and seek to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery regardless of race, disability, gender, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

To support fair recruitment practices and reduce the risk of bias, an anonymous shortlisting process may be used, whereby identifying personal information is removed from applications during the initial assessment stage.

We are committed to supporting employees to balance their working life with other commitments.

Wherever possible, flexible working arrangements will be considered, subject to service requirements.

Please see the full Job Description here

For a confidential discussion contact: [e-mail] or 07546 415 794.