Sufficiency and Funding Manager

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About the role

Dorset Council is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people in education. We are looking for a dedicated Sufficiency and Funding Manager to join our team as our education funding expert and to support sufficiency planning for SEND provision.

Purpose of the Role: As the Sufficiency and Funding Manager, you will have a strategic overview of income and expenditure within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), particularly the High Needs Block (HNB). You will design and construct funding formulae to support vulnerable groups, ensuring effective delivery of educational placements and support for children and young people with SEND. Your role will involve advising senior leadership on financial implications and recommendations, improving outcomes, and meeting statutory obligations for SEND provision.

Key Responsibilities:

• develop and maintain funding formulae for high needs pupils, ensuring compliance with legislation.
• create and manage modelling for funding specialist provision in schools and academies.
• analyse data to understand future trends in high needs funding requirements.
• provide strategic advice and direction to senior management and elected members on financial matters
• support the efficient operation of the Schools Forum and engage in national lobbying for DSG funding.
• liaise with capital colleagues on high needs capital investment programmes.

About You:

• a degree or equivalent professional qualification in financial, educational, or business management.
• substantial experience working through complex issues with internal and external partners.
• significant experience in a similar or related financial environment.
• extensive experience using ICT systems for data analysis and financial modelling.
• proven track record of providing sound financial advice to a wide range of stakeholders.
• experience in staff supervision and management.

Essential Skills and Knowledge:

• extensive knowledge of local authorities' duties to secure sufficient SEND places in schools.
• detailed knowledge of government legislation and guidance on local government and school finance regulations.
• excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• strong analytical skills with the ability to manage large datasets.
• ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands.

For further information, please contact Ross Bowell, Head of Service - Health, Education & SEND Commissioning on 01305 225535 or by email [email protected]

Further Information

This is a full time role at 37 hours per week.

This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a Basic Criminal Records Check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.

About Us

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you're passionate about making a difference, we'd love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.