Interim Project Manager – SEND Reform

Location: Somerset
Contract: 3-Month Rolling Contract
Working Pattern: Approx. 2 Days Per Week On Site
Rate: Competitive (DOE)

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Project Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering Somerset’s ambitious SEND Reform Programme. This position will lead the implementation of key projects, with a particular focus on the Experts at Hand (EAH) model, supporting children and young people aged 0–25 across education settings.

Working collaboratively with education providers, health partners, parent carers, council services and children and young people, you will drive improvement initiatives that support the wider SEND Improvement Programme and SEND Reform Plan.

This is a highly visible role requiring strong programme management, stakeholder engagement and partnership-working skills to ensure successful delivery of complex reform projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mobilisation, planning and delivery of SEND Reform projects across Somerset.

• Drive implementation of the Experts at Hand (EAH) Locality Delivery Model across education settings.

• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones and performance measures.

• Identify and manage programme risks, issues, dependencies and mitigation plans.

• Prepare governance reports and provide updates to the SEND Reform Partnership Board and senior stakeholders.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with schools, colleges, NHS partners, local authority teams, parent carers and wider SEND stakeholders.

• Coordinate programme communications, engagement activity and change management initiatives.

• Monitor project outcomes, evaluate impact and report on performance measures.

• Support recruitment activity linked to programme delivery.

• Lead or contribute to commissioning, procurement and contract management processes where required.

• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and aligned to strategic SEND priorities.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, APM, Agile or equivalent).

• Proven experience delivering complex projects and programmes within public sector environments.

• Demonstrable experience of SEND improvement or transformation projects.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership working skills across education, health and local authority settings.

• Experience managing programme governance, reporting, risks and performance frameworks.

• Experience supporting recruitment, commissioning, procurement and contract management activities.

• Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of current SEND reforms and the national SEND agenda.

• Understanding of the Experts at Hand (EAH) model and its implementation within education settings.

• Experience working across multi-agency partnerships involving local authorities, schools, NHS organisations and parent carer forums.

• Experience delivering change and service improvement programmes.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a proactive and collaborative Project Manager who can build strong relationships, drive complex programmes forward and support meaningful improvements for children and young people with SEND across Somerset.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a high-profile transformation programme that will shape SEND services and outcomes across the county.