Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield Leicester LE3 8RA
Salary: £49,221 – £53,826 per annum (Pro rata for part time)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed term for 2 years, Secondment for 2 years
Closing Date: 26th April 2026
Interview Dates: 6th May 2026
SEND Project Manager
We are looking for a Project Manager who will focus on supporting SEND Reform and wider system improvement within Leicestershire’s Children and Family Services. The post is temporary for 24 months.
The 2026 UK SEND reforms, “Putting Children and Young People First”, aims to create a more inclusive, consistent system by prioritising early intervention and strengthening mainstream school capacity.
Key changes include introducing new National Inclusion Standards, “Inclusion Bases” in schools, and transitioning to a new specialist Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) system by 2030, aimed at reducing the need for adversarial, expensive legal challenges.
About the Role
We are seeking to recruit an experienced Project Manager to join the team implementing the SEND Reforms in Leicestershire.
As a Project Manager, you will lead and coordinate a programme of activity to support the Leicestershire’s response to national SEND reforms.Working closely with senior leaders across Children Family Services and wider strategic partners, you will implement national policy into practical, deliverable improvement activity. This will include planning and co‑ordinating the necessary workstreams to implement the SEND Reforms. There will also be significant emphasis on financial spend of grant funding and submission of data and reports back to the Department for Education.You will have strong political awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships in complex environments. You will also have a high level of autonomy, flexibility and initiative, as priorities will evolve in line with national SEND reform.
For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence … the following criteria:
- Relevant Degree in analytical subject or other relevant qualification at this level plus experience of managing complex and demanding projects successfully at an appropriate level to the above qualification. Plus demonstrable relevant experience.
- Qualification in project management or change management or experience of managing complex and demanding projects successfully at an appropriate level.
- Managing significant and demanding projects successfully, including experience in the preparation of major project business cases, business change impact assessments and associated budgeting and cost management, ideally within Children and Family Services environment.
- Working successfully in an environment requiring extensive liaison, such as across partnerships or within large complex organisations.
- Effective implementation of change and how to manage people through change. Use and application of IT including Microsoft project and in particular an ability to produce reports and presentations.
- Local Government structure including policy framework and interrelationships of stakeholders.
- Producing complex and statistical reports with detailed analysis. Prioritising and managing a heavy workload whilst delivering quality results to tight deadlines.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working?
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part‑time working, job sharing, term‑time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
Contact
Olivia Dale – Head of Service Education Strategy and Transformation
Telephone: 01163050287
Email: Olivia.Dale@leics.gov.uk
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