Interim Finance Manager - Schools & High Needs Block (DSG)

Vivid Resourcing Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing Ltd is assisting a local authority client in London to recruit a senior finance lead for DSG/High Needs Block management. The role demands credible senior stakeholders engagement and deep expertise in deficit recovery and policy development.

The successful candidate will model reforms, monitor funding arrangements and deliver robust financial forecasts across SEND and education sectors, with a focus on risk management and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Proven senior experience in DSG/High Needs Block within a local authority.
• Ability to model financial impact of reforms and monitor funding arrangements.
• Experience translating demand drivers into robust financial forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the council's response to Local SEND Reform Plan with financial modelling.
• Model impact of High Needs Stability Grant and plan residual 10% repayment.
• Lead or support DSG Deficit Recovery/Management Plan.
• Improve monitoring and accountability of High Needs spend.
• Develop policy on budgetary deficits across schools and FE settings.
• Produce quarterly budget monitoring and variance reporting to key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with SEND, Education and Children's Services to forecast demand drivers.
• Liaise with DfE and external auditors on deficit reporting.

Skills

Senior-level experience

Deficit management

Financial modelling

Budget forecasting

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CCAB-qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Job description

Previous Local Authority Experience is required.

Applicants without this will not be considered.

The Role

We are recruiting on behalf of local authority clients managing significant Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block deficits. With national cumulative deficits exceeding 6bn and several authorities forecasting deficits in the tens or hundreds of millions, this is a high-priority, high-visibility role requiring genuine technical expertise and senior stakeholder credibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the council's response to its Local SEND Reform Plan, including detailed modelling of the financial impact of reforms and ensuring financial systems are set up to monitor and deliver new funding arrangements
• Model the impact of the High Needs Stability Grant (covering 90% of deficits accrued to March 2026) and plan for the residual 10% repayment obligation ahead of the statutory override ending in March 2028
• Lead or support production of the council's DSG Deficit Recovery/Management Plan
• Improve monitoring and accountability of High Needs spend, including Alternative Learning Provision, Education Other Than At School, and Elective Home Education
• Develop the council's policy on budgetary deficits across schools, early years and further education settings, reducing the risk of deficits and strengthening the council's response where they occur
• Produce quarterly budget monitoring and variance reporting to Schools Forum, Cabinet and senior finance leadership
• Work closely with SEND, Education and Children's Services teams to translate demand drivers (EHCPs, exclusions, placement costs) into robust financial forecasts
• Liaise with the DfE and external auditors on deficit reporting and compliance with statutory override conditions

About You

• Proven senior-level experience managing DSG, High Needs Block, or SEND/education finance within a local authority
• CCAB-qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or qualified by experience with substantial relevant background
• Strong technical understanding of DSG ring-fencing rules, the statutory override, and the High Needs Stability Grant mechanism
• Experience developing deficit recovery or financial policy at a strategic level, not just monitoring and reporting
• Confident presenting complex financial risk directly to Schools Forum, Cabinet and senior Members
• Available for a prompt start