SEND Experts At Hand Programme Manager

Calderdale Council; Halifax; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job share opportunities

Job summary

Calderdale Council is seeking an exceptional Programme Manager to lead the Experts At Hand programme, a key component of SEND reform, shaping how education, health and care work together for 0-25 children and young people.

You will work across partners to implement a sustainable model that strengthens inclusion and early support, with flexible hybrid working and a focus on co-production with families.

Qualifications

• Significant programme or project management experience.
• Proven track record delivering complex multi-agency transformation programmes.
• Strong leadership, influencing and partnership-building skills.
• Knowledge of SEND, inclusion, education, health or public service transformation.
• Experience managing substantial budgets and resources.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Calderdale's Experts At Hand programme.
• Bring together partners across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector.
• Manage a programme budget of approximately £2 million.
• Develop governance, performance management and evaluation arrangements.
• Drive system-wide change to improve inclusion and support in mainstream settings.
• Champion co-production with children, young people and families.
• Report to senior leaders, partnership boards and national stakeholders.

Skills

Programme management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Public sector transformation

Communication

Job description

Post Ref: CC975

Please note: Internal, at risk or redeployee applicants will be seen in the first instance.

Please note: Internal applicants applying for a secondment opportunity must have approval from their line manager before submitting an application.

This is a great opportunity to position the role as a high-profile transformation and system leadership post.

We're looking for an exceptional Programme Manager to lead the delivery of Calderdale's innovative Experts At Hand programme, a key part of the Government's SEND reform agenda.

This is a unique opportunity to shape how education, health and care services work together to improve outcomes for children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Working across Calderdale Council, NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, schools, early years settings, colleges, voluntary organisations and families, you will drive the development and implementation of a sustainable model that strengthens inclusion and provides earlier support for children and young people.

About the Role

As the senior operational lead for the programme, you will:

• Lead the delivery of Calderdale's Experts At Hand programme.
• Bring together partners across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector.
• Manage a programme budget of approximately £2 million.
• Develop governance, performance management and evaluation arrangements.
• Drive system-wide change to improve inclusion and support in mainstream settings.
• Champion co-production with children, young people and families.
• Report to senior leaders, partnership boards and national stakeholders.

About You

We're looking for someone with:

• Significant programme or project management experience.
• A proven track record of delivering complex multi-agency transformation programmes.
• Strong leadership, influencing and partnership-building skills.
• Knowledge of SEND, inclusion, education, health or public service transformation.
• Experience managing substantial budgets and resources.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

Why Calderdale?

This is an opportunity to lead one of Calderdale's most significant transformation programmes, helping create a more inclusive system where children and young people receive the right support at the right time.

You'll join a collaborative partnership committed to innovation, inclusion and improving lives, while benefiting from flexible hybrid working and the chance to make a lasting impact across the borough.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Closing Date: Thursday 27th August 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 8th September 2026

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year (unless exceptions apply) and meet the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Calderdale will reimburse the post holders required professional membership, annually.

We may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.

All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

As part of our fair recruitment process, we ask that all applications are written by the candidate and that Artificial Intelligence (AI) use is limited, unless assistance is required as a reasonable adjustment for a disability. Content should be truthful, accurate, evidence based and not embellishment – see guidance.