Partnership Communications Manager - SEND

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's health organization in the UK is seeking a Partnership Communications Manager to lead transformative communications for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This role involves collaborating with partners to develop clear, engaging content across various channels, ensuring effective communications that help families navigate SEND support. Candidates should possess a degree or equivalent experience, with strong skills in stakeholder management and communication strategies. The position offers both full-time and part-time hours, with a competitive salary in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Pension schemes

Health and wellbeing programmes

Exclusive discounts

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience.
• Experience delivering communication strategies within large‑scale transformation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and relationship‑building expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of clear, engaging content across multiple channels.
• Guide and support the communications team, ensuring best practices.
• Deliver data‑driven communication plans and campaigns.

Skills

Stakeholder communications

Content creation

Digital communication tools

Data analysis

Education

Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience

CIPR or CIM qualification

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Partnership Communications Manager - SEND

Closing date: 04 January 2026

Term and hours: Fixed Term | Full and Part Time hours available

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead communications that will drive the transformation of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Sheffield.

Working closely with partners across Sheffield including Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, you will join a focused and inclusive team who are leading the development of SEND provision across Sheffield.

In this key role, you’ll collaborate with partners to deliver strategic, inclusive communications that help families navigate SEND support, fostering trust, clarity, and engagement.

You’ll ensure robust communication plans are in place across partner organisations to support joined‑up working and embed lasting improvements in SEND services.

This role is hosted by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the Local Area Partnership, which includes Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

About You

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience
• Experience delivering communication strategies within large‑scale, complex transformation programmes
• Proven ability to translate strategy into clear, impactful messages for professionals and families
• Strong stakeholder management skills and relationship‑building expertise

Main duties of the job

You will report to the Communications and Marketing Director at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and some of your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the development of clear, engaging content and calls to action across multiple channels, aligned with partnership values and strategic goals.
• Guide and support the communications team, ensuring best practices and cohesive messaging.
• Deliver data‑driven communication plans, campaigns, and co‑production events that connect and engage SEND children, young people, families, and wider stakeholder.

About us

At Sheffield Children’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children’s Health.

We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.

We’re proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children’s as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England – and the top‑ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire – in the latest NHS Staff Survey.

Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values – Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence – to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we’re excited to keep building our leadership in children’s health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.

We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts – helping you thrive at work and beyond.

Job responsibilities

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

Please note that Sheffield Children’s uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.

*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 2432 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes

Please note: We do not offer visa sponsorship for part‑time roles and Band 2 roles.

Diversity Statement

At Sheffield Children’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone’s success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at [e-mail]. Together, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience
• CIPR or CIM qualification or equivalent and/or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development (e.g., Public Relations, Communications, User‑centred design)

Experience

• Experience in stakeholder communications including experience of cross‑partnership working, community‑facing communications, marketing and delivering return on investment
• Experience creating clear, engaging content across multiple channels (e.g., video, infographics, social media, intranet, website)
• Experience collaborating with senior colleagues and partners to achieve shared goals while managing workload and priorities

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of internal and external communications principles, including employee engagement principles, frameworks and programmes
• Written and verbal expertise in expressing complex and sensitive messaging for diverse audiences
• Proficiency in digital communication tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, social media, and content management systems
• Data analysis expertise to measure and evaluate the impact of communication programmes and channels
• Ability to manage workload, resource allocation and projects, prioritising based on urgency and organisational needs
• Expertise to guide decisions using subject matter knowledge, with the ability to engage senior leaders, colleagues and external partners

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

425-25-7535041-A

Job locations

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust