Finance Operations Manager - EHCP Service

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.

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. 

To address these challenges, a new team has been created, the Payments, Performance and Value for Money Service, whose remit is to ensure that education placements are appropriate, working in particular with independent providers when commissioning places. The team will also administer the payment process for placements and be central in the relationship between school and college business managers and the council.  

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 [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. 

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.

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. 

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone. 

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer 

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. 
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. 
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. 
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. 
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. 
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people. 

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. 

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

 When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected]. 

What we will need from you if you're successful 

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.  

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

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