SEND Project Officer

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave (32 after 5 years

Flexible working hours

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Learning & Development

Health & Wellbeing Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme

Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Programme Support role to transform SEND services through collaboration, project delivery and continuous improvement. You will support reporting progress on SEND reforms to the Department for Education and help drive delivery within agreed timescales and budgets.

The role requires strong partnership-working, excellent organisation, and the ability to produce clear reports and presentations for diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting the successful delivery of projects and programmes.
• Strong partnership-working and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent organisational skills, including managing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication, including reports and presentations.
• Experience facilitating group discussions, meetings or workshops.
• Understanding of inspection frameworks and Gateshead Thrive Agenda and Health and Wellbeing priorities.
• Level 4 qualification (or willingness to work towards one) and commitment to development.

Responsibilities

• Assist the service in reporting progress to the Department for Education on key SEND reforms.
• Support programmes of work and contribute to project delivery within timescales and budgets.
• Provide programme management support and advice to teams and external partners.
• Help workstreams develop implementation plans delivering agreed outcomes.
• Create presentations and materials for workstreams and stakeholder meetings.
• Plan and support meetings, conferences and events.
• Monitor progress and assist in producing performance reports and information.
• Build relationships with partners and stakeholders across the council and partners.
• Collaborate to ensure programmes contribute to strategic priorities and outcomes.
• Research, analyse and report on related programmes to support continuous improvement.
• Contribute to wider corporate projects beyond the immediate programme area.
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the grade.

Skills

Project delivery

Partnership-working

Organisational skills

Verbal and written communication

Facilitation

Understanding inspection frameworks

Education

Level 4 qualification

Job description

What you’ll do

• Assist the service in reporting progress to the Department for Education (DfE) on key areas of the SEND Reforms.
• Support and facilitate programmes of work, contributing to successful project delivery within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Provide programme management support and advice to teams, senior managers and external partners.
• Help workstreams develop implementation plans that deliver agreed outcomes and improvements.
• Create presentations and supporting materials for workstreams, strategic boards and stakeholder meetings.
• Plan, organise and support meetings, conferences and associated events.
• Monitor progress against objectives and milestones and support the production of performance reports and management information.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively to ensure programmes contribute to the Council's strategic priorities and outcomes.
• Research, analyse and report on related programmes and initiatives to support continuous improvement.
• Contribute to wider corporate projects and initiatives beyond the immediate programme area.
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the grade of the post

About the role

Play a key role in transforming SEND services through collaboration, project delivery and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Experience of supporting the successful delivery of projects and programmes.
• Strong partnership-working and relationship-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work across multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience of producing clear reports and presentations for different audiences.
• Experience of facilitating group discussions, meetings or workshops and supporting positive outcomes.
• An understanding of inspection frameworks relevant to the service area, together with awareness of Gateshead's Thrive Agenda and Health and Wellbeing priorities.
• A relevant Level 4 qualification (or willingness to work towards one within a given timeframe) and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Why join us

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

About Gateshead Council

We're delighted that you're interested in working with us. You'd be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you'd be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we're confident that it isn't just the salary that attracts our staff. Make a difference for children and young people by helping shape and deliver SEND improvement across Gateshead. Gateshead's Education, Schools and Inclusion Service is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Working as part of a collaborative improvement programme, you'll support the delivery of key change initiatives, helping to shape services that make a real difference to children, families, schools and partners across the borough. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside senior leaders, education professionals and external partners to drive innovation, improve practice and support strategic priorities.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don't just offer a great salary - we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions - a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services - plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).