Programme Manager – SEND
Employer: Local Government Association
Location: Home based
Temporary: 8 month secondment or FTC
Salary: £78,551 to £89,005
Closing date: 5pm, 24 September
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About us
The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.
We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.
We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.
About the role
The LGA is seeking to appoint a programme manager with experience of working in SEND system, within local government at a senior, strategic level.
Working closely with senior colleagues within the LGA with responsibility for the children’s services improvement programme you will act as a key interface between the LGA and local authorities and their partners. You will lead the delivery and implementation of a Department for Education grant focussed on leadership development in SEND. You will work with key sector partners, including local authorities, DfE, ADCS, health, education settings and parents/carers, to design and deliver improvement activity that strengthens leadership capacity in local SEND systems.
Your success will be determined by your ability to understand and respond to the highly challenging, politically sensitive and high-profile SEND environment in order to manage complexities and risk, and successfully maintain a positive reputation for the LGA with its member authorities
The position is required to support immediate delivery needs
The organisation is consulting on its operating model
The grade and responsibilities are subject to confirmation
Priority consideration may be given to employees at risk where they have the required qualifications and experience
About you
You will have a comprehensive understanding about how local areas, through multi agency arrangements, provide services for children with SEND and the complexities, challenges and opportunities this presents.
You will have a comprehensive understanding of local government and the wider public sector and how the delivery of services for children sits within this.
You will be confident and credible in working with leading members, chief executives, directors of children’s services and other partner system leaders
You will hit the ground running, using your abilities and experience to effectively manage and maintain relationships with local authorities and the Department for Education to ensure effective delivery of the children’s improvement programme.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.
We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:
Proven knowledge and expertise in relation to the national policy context affecting SEND services
Record of achievement in complex political environments, in local government SEND services
Understanding of the key issues, priorities and pressures affecting local government including the policy and improvement agenda
Political sensitivity, and the ability to exercise appropriate discretion and judgement on issues of significance and importance, and when dealing with politicians and officials
Practical experience of designing interventions and innovative solutions to complex issues affecting SEND
Confident and resilient with excellent people skills, able to develop positive internal and external relationships; Strong team player able to build alliances and lead from within
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Closing Date: 5pm, 24 September
Interview Date: week commencing 28 September, interviews will be virtual
Interview Panel: TBC
We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names.
At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit.
Our benefits
LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).*
Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured.
Family friendly policies
For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga
Our values & behaviours
Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:
how we work with each other
how we work with our members and stakeholders
our expectations for ourselves and each other
Our values are:
Collaboration – We value collaboration, to pursue shared goals by encouraging and utilising diverse perspectives and working with internal and external colleagues across the organisation.
Inclusion – We value inclusion, where everyone feels valued, understood, and supported to contribute meaningfully.
Ambition – We value ambition, reflecting our desire to achieve best possible outcomes for local government, communities, and individuals.
Respect – We value respect, to ensure fairness, recognition, and shared accountability.
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