Lead High Needs Funding Team – SEND Budget & Strategy

North Northamptonshire Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Generous leave entitlement

Hybrid working

Job summary

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking a seasoned High Needs Funding Team Manager to lead the High Needs Funding Team and oversee the High Needs Block Budget. You will collate records, forecast, and ensure accurate allocations to educational providers across multiple payment methods.

You will manage staff, provide expert budget advice to SEN managers, and uphold statutory guidance, while improving processes to meet evolving service needs in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in budget setting, monitoring, forecasting and managing complex financial processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and interrogate complex datasets.
• Excellent financial management knowledge, including creating and implementing payment processes.
• Proficiency in IT systems, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Experience managing teams and supervising staff.
• Ability to manage high workloads, prioritise independently, and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including explaining financial information to non‑finance colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the payments approved from the High Needs Block Budget, including accurate budget setting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Lead the High Needs Funding Team to deliver timely and accurate funding allocations to educational providers across a range of payment methods.
• Extract, analyse and interpret complex data to support budget planning and financial analysis.
• Maintain high‑quality financial records, reconcile accounts and provide clear reports to senior leadership.
• Provide expert support and advice to SEN budget managers, helping them to understand and manage their budget positions.
• Ensure compliance with statutory High Needs Funding guidance and keep up to date with national requirements.
• Develop and refine processes to improve efficiency and respond to changing service needs.

Skills

Budget setting

Forecasting

Data analysis

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking a seasoned High Needs Funding Team Manager to lead the High Needs Funding Team and oversee the High Needs Block Budget. You will collate records, forecast, and ensure accurate allocations to educational providers across multiple payment methods.

You will manage staff, provide expert budget advice to SEN managers, and uphold statutory guidance, while improving processes to meet evolving service needs in a hybrid working environment.