Programme Manager (SEND Reform & Transformation)

Wokingham Jobs; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 31 days + 5 after 5 years

Local Government Pension Scheme

GP Helpline

Employee Assistance Programme

Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

Onsite Gym

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Discounts

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Groups

Learning & Development

Employee Networks

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a Programme Manager (SEND Reform & Transformation) to lead system‑wide change within the SEND and Inclusion Team. This permanent, full‑time role focuses on delivering the Local SEND Reform Plan through collaborative, cross‑agency delivery to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.

You will work with senior leaders across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector, driving improvements, managing risks and

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex transformation or improvement programmes involving multiple organisations and stakeholders.
• Experience translating strategy into operational delivery and embedding sustainable change within services.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience working with senior leaders and partners across organisational boundaries.
• Ability to drive delivery at pace, manage competing priorities and achieve outcomes in a regulated or externally scrutinised environment.
• Experience of SEND transformation, education improvement, children's services reform or complex public sector change programmes.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of Wokingham's Local SEND Reform Plan and Priority Action Plan, ensuring improvement activity delivers measurable impact for children and young people with SEND.
• Drive programme delivery at pace, maintaining clear oversight of milestones, risks, dependencies and outcomes across a complex partnership landscape.
• Work closely with senior leaders across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector to turn strategic priorities into sustainable operational improvements.
• Lead system-wide collaboration and accountability, providing support and challenge to partners to ensure delivery commitments are achieved.
• Champion co-production with children, young people and parent carers, ensuring their voices shape improvement and reform activity.
• Lead governance, performance and risk management arrangements, ensuring the local area remains inspection ready and focused on continuous improvement.
• Use data, insight and evidence to demonstrate impact, improve services and support better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Change management

Strategic planning

Public sector experience

Job description

We have an excellent opportunity for a Programme Manager (SEND Reform & Transformation) to join our SEND and Inclusion Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full-time, Permanent basis.

As Programme Manager, you will drive system-wide change across SEND services, helping to improve outcomes, increase inclusion and enhance the experiences of children and young people with SEND and their families. Working at the heart of our improvement and transformation programme, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring children and young people receive the right support at the right time to achieve their potential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a collaborative, motivated professional with proven experience of leading complex, multi-agency programmes within children's services or a related sector to join our team.

Staff Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave - 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
• Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
• Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
• Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
• Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
• Move through Menopause Course
• Sports & Social Group Activities - Including running, football, cricket & more
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Employee Networks
• And more!

Key Responsibilities

• Delivery of Wokingham's Local SEND Reform Plan and Priority Action Plan, ensuring improvement activity delivers measurable impact for children and young people with SEND.
• Drive programme delivery at pace, maintaining clear oversight of milestones, risks, dependencies and outcomes across a complex partnership landscape.
• Work closely with senior leaders across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector to turn strategic priorities into sustainable operational improvements.
• Lead system-wide collaboration and accountability, providing support and challenge to partners to ensure delivery commitments are achieved.
• Champion co-production with children, young people and parent carers, ensuring their voices shape improvement and reform activity.
• Lead governance, performance and risk management arrangements, ensuring the local area remains inspection ready and focused on continuous improvement.
• Use data, insight and evidence to demonstrate impact, improve services and support better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience leading complex transformation or improvement programmes involving multiple organisations and stakeholders.
• Experience translating strategy into operational delivery and embedding sustainable change within services.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience working with senior leaders and partners across organisational boundaries.
• Ability to drive delivery at pace, manage competing priorities and achieve outcomes in a regulated or externally scrutinised environment.
• Experience of SEND transformation, education improvement, children's services reform or complex public sector change programmes.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.

Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Jamie Conran, Acting Service Director SEND and Inclusion via [e-mail] (Strictly no agencies).

Closing date:

Sunday 8th November 2026 at 11pm

Interview date: TBC

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.