My South West based local government client is looking to recruit an interim finance business partner to work in their children's finance team with a focus on SEND reform. You role will be to add additional resource to the team and provide strategic financial leadership and establish robust financial governance and processes.

The key responsibilities of the role are:

• Design and embed a new financial operating model for SEND Reform, working with existing finance teams to establish processes that align with current Department for Education expectations.
• Develop and maintain robust arrangements for SEND financial planning, budget setting, monitoring and forecasting.
• Lead budget setting, monitoring and forecasting for the Experts at Hand grant and the residual Deficit Management Plan budget.
• Provide financial support and challenge to the wider SEND Reform Programme, including options appraisal modelling and ensuring that reform initiatives are financially sustainable.
• Produce clear, timely financial reports in line with Council reporting cycles for relevant boards, meetings with the Department for Education, Schools Forum and elected members.
• Support the review of SEND funding policy, including banding funding arrangements across all settings.

The role is initially for 6 months and paying £650 a day. Some office presence is required but the role is mainly home based.