SEND Reform Project Manager

Interim Project Manager – SEND Reform

Somerset
£500 per day Umbrella | £363.82 per day PAYE
37 hours per week | 3-month rolling contract
Hybrid: 3 days remote, 2 days office-based, with occasional attendance at events and workshops

About the Role

Somerset Council is seeking an experienced Interim Project Manager to play a key role in delivering its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reform Programme.
The successful candidate will lead and coordinate a range of SEND Reform projects, with a particular focus on Somerset's Experts at Hand (EAH) Locality Delivery Model across education settings for children and young people aged 0–25.
Working as part of the wider SEND Improvement Programme and SEND Reform Plan, you will work collaboratively with education settings, council services, NHS partners, parent carers, and children and young people to support the successful mobilisation and delivery of reform initiatives across Somerset.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Mobilise and deliver SEND Reform projects across Somerset.
• Drive the implementation of the Experts at Hand Locality Delivery Model.
• Develop and manage project plans, milestones, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Provide effective governance, reporting and assurance to the SEND Reform Partnership Board.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with education settings, health partners, council services, parent carers and wider SEND stakeholders.
• Coordinate programme communications, evaluation and performance reporting.
• Support recruitment activity associated with programme delivery.
• Contribute to procurement, commissioning and contract management activity.
• Facilitate effective partnership working across education, health and local authority services.
• Attend relevant events, workshops and stakeholder sessions as required.

About You

We are looking for a confident and experienced project manager with a strong track record of delivering complex projects in a partnership environment.
You will ideally have:

• Proven project management experience, supported by relevant qualifications and/or professional experience.
• Experience of delivering SEND improvement or reform projects.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience working across multiple organisations and professional disciplines.
• Experience of project delivery involving recruitment, commissioning/procurement and contract management.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, risks and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders and partnership boards.
• The ability to work collaboratively and build effective relationships across education, health, local government and the wider SEND community.

Working Arrangements

This is a 37-hour-per-week hybrid interim assignment, initially offered on a 3-month rolling contract.
The role will typically involve:

• 3 days working remotely
• 2 days per week office-based in Somerset
• Additional attendance at events, workshops and stakeholder meetings where required.

Why Join?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Project Manager to make a tangible contribution to the delivery of SEND Reform across Somerset and help shape services and support for children and young people aged 0–25.
You will be joining a high-profile programme involving a wide range of partners and will have the opportunity to play a central role in implementing innovative approaches to SEND support across education settings.

Apply now to be considered for this key interim opportunity with Somerset Council.

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