Finance Operations Manager - EHCP Service
| Posting date: | 14 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 January 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, Greater Manchester |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Manchester City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | ID:7165 |
Summary
Working Hours: 35 Hours per week
Contract Type: Full time / Permanent
Additional Payments: Casual car user allowance
Closing Date: 28 January 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: In Person (Face to Face)
This role is subject to:
Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
2 References: where possible we require 3 years' history.
Qualified accountant with a recognised CCAB qualification.
Casual Car Documentation: The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance: this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders, and it is available upon request.
About The Role:
The Access and Sufficiency Service, part of Manchester’s Children and Families Directorate ensures children and young people aged 4 to 16 (2 to 25 for those with SEND) have access to appropriate Education. This includes ensuring there are sufficient school places across the City including alternative provision and specialist provision through effective place planning and management; school organisation including overview of statutory change processes linked to schools; schools admissions processes; Children Missing Education processes including children who are electively home educated; statutory assessment for Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) and maintenance of plans; home to school travel processes including free travel passes
EHCPs are statutory documents introduced in 2014 to ensure children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive tailored support across education, health, and social care. They are legally binding and must be reviewed annually. However, the system is under significant strain. Nationally, the number of EHCPs has surged - up 313% since 2014 and 111% since 2019. This increase has placed immense pressure on local authorities and their High Needs Budgets.
The financial challenges stem from rising demand and costly independent sector placements. The Department for Education is considering reforms with a White Paper expected in autumn 2025.
As part of this new team, the EHCP Finance Operations Manager will report directly to the Statutory Lead and play a central role in ensuring the council offers a high quality, efficient service. The role will include:
Link between the Payments, Performance and Value for Money (EHCP) Service and Children's Finance Service.
Contribute to systems improvements.
Responsible for data analysis and reporting on this.
To support the Statutory Lead in identifying savings and efficiencies within the Payments, Performance and Value for Money (EHCP) Service.
Responsible for translating savings into the High Needs Block recovery plan.
Responsible for producing the Dashboard, agreed KPIs, and savings made from high-cost placements.
Responsible for matching Children’s Finance data and Service system data and identifying reasons for any discrepancies and addressing these.
Lead on the establishment of evidence-based reporting for initiatives and projects designed to reduce costs.
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Alex Hill, at 07946711487 and alex.hill@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
About the Candidate:
We are seeking a highly skilled professional to lead and manage financial functions within a complex organisational environment.
The successful candidate will:
Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, with the ability to advise on sensitive issues, negotiate challenging agreements, and influence stakeholders both internally and externally.
You will inspire and equip your team to achieve objectives aligned with business needs, while effectively managing performance and driving continuous improvement.
Strong planning and organisational abilities are essential, including setting realistic timescales and prioritising work to meet strategic goals.
You will apply best practice and contribute to the development of financial strategies, ensuring alignment with Council objectives.
The role requires sound problem-solving and decision-making skills, enabling you to devise practical solutions for new or unfamiliar situations.
Proficiency in ICT systems for document and record management is vital, alongside experience with financial management IT systems, e-government initiatives, and web-based self-service.
A thorough understanding of transactional services and financial management processes is required. The postholder must be a qualified CCAB accountant.
Contract Type: Full time / Permanent
Additional Payments: Casual car user allowance
Closing Date: 28 January 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: In Person (Face to Face)
This role is subject to:
Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
2 References: where possible we require 3 years' history.
Qualified accountant with a recognised CCAB qualification.
Casual Car Documentation: The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance: this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders, and it is available upon request.
About The Role:
The Access and Sufficiency Service, part of Manchester’s Children and Families Directorate ensures children and young people aged 4 to 16 (2 to 25 for those with SEND) have access to appropriate Education. This includes ensuring there are sufficient school places across the City including alternative provision and specialist provision through effective place planning and management; school organisation including overview of statutory change processes linked to schools; schools admissions processes; Children Missing Education processes including children who are electively home educated; statutory assessment for Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) and maintenance of plans; home to school travel processes including free travel passes
EHCPs are statutory documents introduced in 2014 to ensure children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive tailored support across education, health, and social care. They are legally binding and must be reviewed annually. However, the system is under significant strain. Nationally, the number of EHCPs has surged - up 313% since 2014 and 111% since 2019. This increase has placed immense pressure on local authorities and their High Needs Budgets.
The financial challenges stem from rising demand and costly independent sector placements. The Department for Education is considering reforms with a White Paper expected in autumn 2025.
As part of this new team, the EHCP Finance Operations Manager will report directly to the Statutory Lead and play a central role in ensuring the council offers a high quality, efficient service. The role will include:
Link between the Payments, Performance and Value for Money (EHCP) Service and Children's Finance Service.
Contribute to systems improvements.
Responsible for data analysis and reporting on this.
To support the Statutory Lead in identifying savings and efficiencies within the Payments, Performance and Value for Money (EHCP) Service.
Responsible for translating savings into the High Needs Block recovery plan.
Responsible for producing the Dashboard, agreed KPIs, and savings made from high-cost placements.
Responsible for matching Children’s Finance data and Service system data and identifying reasons for any discrepancies and addressing these.
Lead on the establishment of evidence-based reporting for initiatives and projects designed to reduce costs.
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Alex Hill, at 07946711487 and alex.hill@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
About the Candidate:
We are seeking a highly skilled professional to lead and manage financial functions within a complex organisational environment.
The successful candidate will:
Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, with the ability to advise on sensitive issues, negotiate challenging agreements, and influence stakeholders both internally and externally.
You will inspire and equip your team to achieve objectives aligned with business needs, while effectively managing performance and driving continuous improvement.
Strong planning and organisational abilities are essential, including setting realistic timescales and prioritising work to meet strategic goals.
You will apply best practice and contribute to the development of financial strategies, ensuring alignment with Council objectives.
The role requires sound problem-solving and decision-making skills, enabling you to devise practical solutions for new or unfamiliar situations.
Proficiency in ICT systems for document and record management is vital, alongside experience with financial management IT systems, e-government initiatives, and web-based self-service.
A thorough understanding of transactional services and financial management processes is required. The postholder must be a qualified CCAB accountant.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
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A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.