Job Description:

SEN Finance Officer

Location: Bexley (Hybrid Working)
Contract: 3 Months Initially
Working Pattern: 3–4 Days Remote | 1–2 Days Office-Based (Bexleyheath)
Rate: Competitive

Aatom Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced SEN Finance Officer to join a Local Authority Children's Services team on an initial 3-month contract.

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a busy Statutory Assessment Service, supporting the management of a multi-million-pound Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget and ensuring the effective administration of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) funding across a wide range of educational settings.

About the Role

As SEN Finance Officer, you will play a key role in managing and monitoring SEN expenditure exceeding £28 million, ensuring accurate financial reporting, budget monitoring, forecasting, and payment processing across a large portfolio of SEN support packages and placements.

You will work closely with schools, colleges, finance teams, SEN professionals, and external agencies to ensure statutory obligations are met and funding is administered efficiently and accurately.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Budget Monitoring

Maintain accurate budget records for SEN support packages and placements.

Monitor and forecast SEN expenditure against budgets.

Reconcile High Needs Block funding and relevant SEN budgets.

Produce regular financial reports, forecasts, and budget monitoring information.

• Support annual budget preparation and year-end financial processes.
• Assist with financial modelling and analysis.

Payments & Invoicing

Verify, process, authorise, and monitor invoices and payments.

Manage BACS payments and payment schedules for schools and education providers.

Reconcile financial transactions and investigate discrepancies.

Challenge inaccurate invoices and costs where necessary.

Process purchase orders and specialist equipment purchases.

SEN Funding Administration

• Administer High Needs Funding and Top-Up Funding payments.
• Produce detailed funding statements for:
  • Mainstream schools
  • Special schools
  • Resourced provisions
  • Independent schools
  • Out-of-borough placements
• Liaise with schools and local authorities regarding funding claims and payment schedules.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Produce management information, financial reports, graphs, and performance data.

Support monthly monitoring meetings with detailed financial analysis.

Prepare information for senior management, government returns, audits, and Freedom of Information requests.

Maintain accurate electronic records and financial databases.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key contact for:
  • Schools and colleges
  • SENCOs
  • Head Teachers
  • NHS services
  • Social Care teams
  • Parents and carers
  • Other Local Authorities
• Provide guidance and support on SEN funding arrangements and financial processes.

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience working within a Local Authority Finance, Education Finance, Schools Finance, or SEN Finance environment.
• Strong understanding of budget monitoring, forecasting, reconciliations, invoicing, and financial reporting.
• Experience dealing with High Needs Funding, Top-Up Funding, or education-related funding streams.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with financial systems.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly.
• Experience producing reports and management information.
• Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

Knowledge of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice.

Understanding of EHCP funding arrangements and High Needs Block funding.

Experience working within Children's Services or SEN teams.

Knowledge of Local Authority finance systems.

What's on Offer?

Hybrid working arrangement.

Predominantly remote working with only occasional office attendance.

Opportunity to work within a supportive Local Authority SEN team.

Meaningful role supporting children and young people with special educational needs.

If you have experience in SEN Finance, Education Finance, Schools Funding, High Needs Funding, or Local Authority Financial Management, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Aatom Recruitment for further information.