Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Academy Trust (SENDAT)

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1 Job Description Job Title: Time Responsible to: Accountable to: Chief Finance and Operations Officer Full time 52 weeks per year SENDAT CEO SENDAT Directors Salary: Around 50,000 Context The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Academies Trust (SENDAT) is a Multi Academy Trust focusing on specialist provision and special schools. Its core aim is to provide for the continuum of special needs. SENDAT was formed to support and further develop specialist provision in the area. At the time of advertising the Trust comprises: Priory School, a founder member of SENDAT is an academy special school for students with complex moderate learning difficulties (MLD). Priory currently has 146 places including 23 residential places. The age range is 8-18 year old. Set in 7 acres of land on the eastern edge of Bury St Edmunds. Priory is the main base for all SENDAT operations. SENDAT Outreach. A team of teachers and an Occupational Therapist who support schools across the whole county of Suffolk to meet the needs of students with SEND. This is a contract commissioned by Suffolk County Council. SENDAT Mount Road. Opened , based on the Priory site, a small classroom of up to 6 students aged These students have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but not learning disabilities. We are commissioned to try to reintegrate these students into mainstream for their GCSE years. SENDAT Angel Hill College. Opened , based at converted offices in Bury St Edmunds (10 mins walk from Priory). The college supports young people aged with complex learning difficulties who are unable to access full programmes at West Suffolk College. This work is delivered in partnership with West Suffolk College. We are working on Free School bids and with other partner organisations/schools to join the Trust. The trust anticipates expanding in the future to add at least one other special school and one pupil referral unit. All new appointments are subject to a 26 week probationary period, as set out in the Trust s Probationary Procedures. Summary of key duties and responsibilities: To contribute to securing the success of SENDAT by: 1. In collaboration with the CEO and Trustees, contributing to the development of the vision, strategic direction and leadership in the planning, management and development of SENDAT 2. Leading the effective operations across SENDAT in the following disciplines: 2.1. Finance; 2.2. HR; 2.3. Premises and Estates;

2 2.4. Risk Management and Insurance; 2.5. Catering; 2.6. Administration; 2.7. Procurement, Contract and services management. 3. Overseeing and co-ordinating the Central Finance functions of SENDAT; 4. Overseeing and managing the SENDAT Accounts and financial planning. 5. Leading project teams as required to ensure the efficient conversion of academies and other new Trust members; 6. Within the context of state school funding as the core revenue budget, identifying and securing additional sources of funding for SENDAT 7. Maximising asset utilisation and value for money; 8. Working within an infrastructure and culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for pupils and staff, and complements SENDAT s vision. 9. To be committed to continuing personal professional development. Key Responsibilities 10. Leadership and Management To ensure the development of SENDAT and Academy plans that are financially and operationally viable; In conjunction with Heads of schools, lead the development of SENDAT to ensure that each Academy has in place suitable processes to facilitate Finance, HR, Administration, ICT, Catering and Premises Management; To effectively support Local Advisory Boards in each Academy ; Support the Resource Committee to enable suitable and appropriate processes to be in place; Actively participate in the Trust Improvement offer of SENDAT, with specific emphasis on helping a school/academy to improve their financial management Line manage non-student facing staff including admin, caretaking and catering staff Carry out the duties of Company Secretary. 11. Financial Planning, Management and Governance Support the SENDAT Board and Executive Leadership Team to facilitate the successful financial, management, operation and development of the Trust; Ensure the development of robust financial management policies, processes and reporting systems so that SENDAT is fully compliant with both governance and financial regulations; Lead the preparation of annual and multi-year income and expenditure budgets for the income and expenditure of SENDAT with due consideration of the assumptions, probabilities and risks of those budgets; To prepare monthly financial management reports and any other reports required by Trustees; Prepare accurate, representative financial reports required by the DfE and EFA; Lead the production of year end accounts in liaison with the SENDAT Board of Trustees and auditors; Oversee the development of the SENDAT Academy Trust Risk Register; Oversee the development of Business Continuity Plans for the SENDAT Academies; 12. Risk Management and Insurance Oversee the development of a suitable Risk Management Strategy for the Trust that is in line with guidance from the Resources Committee (which includes the audit governance function). To include: Ensuring that Risk Management procedures and processes are adequate to mitigate reasonably foreseeable risks;

3 Supporting the development of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans for individual academies and the Trust as a whole; Work under the direction of the Resource Committee to ensure adequate insurance arrangements are in place Reinforcing and demonstrate personally SENDAT s Culture, Values and Ethos Ensure that the Trust s development continues to reflect SENDAT s prevailing vision, culture, values and ethos. General 1. To be familiar with the relevant Trust policies e.g., equalities, safeguarding, inclusion and explore ways of putting them into practice in throughout the Trust. 2. To be familiar with relevant whole trust/school policies and their implementation across the trust/ school. 3. To undertake other reasonable duties and responsibilities as may be determined in consultation with the CEO/Headteacher. Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment To ensure that the Trust is committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people, as required under the Education Act of 2002 and Keeping Children safe in Education, to ensure that all staff and volunteers share this commitment. SENDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons at all times. All staff, under the guidance of the CEO, will be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all children on the Priory School site, or with whom he/she comes into contact as part of the work, in accordance with the Trust s Safeguarding policies. Miscellaneous This job description sets out the main duties associated with the stated purpose of the post. Other duties of a similar level/nature undertaken within the school may be asked. The duties and responsibilities of this post may vary from time to time according to the changing demands of the school. This job description may be reviewed at the reasonable discretion of the CEO in the light of those changing requirements and in consultation with the post holder.

4 Person specification: Chief Finance and Operations Officer Qualifications Professional qualifications in accountancy Highly Experience Professional qualification in school business management Graduate or equivalent Other relevant professional qualifications for example Human Resources, Premises, Health and Safety etc. Worked in a controlling function, therefore having strong experience in internal control, reporting, analysis and finance technology. Experience of working in a people focused/customer centric industry Successful team leadership and management Successful working within a leadership or management team Experience of working in organisations during a period of rapid expansion or shrinkage Working with a range of external partners Highly Highly Project management Familiarity with PS Financials accounting and HR software packages Knowledge and skills Ability to work strategically High degree of analytical skills Risk management High level leadership and communication skills Good IT skills and ability to interpret performance data Personal qualities and attributes Good knowledge of relevant health and Safety legislation Can effectively manage and develop appropriate contracts Energy, drive, commitment and enthusiasm Commitment to continuous improvement and own professional development Entrepreneurial and creative Work well and thrive under pressure Reliable, honest, trustworthy and high degree of personal integrity Commitment to equal opportunities Commitment to the mission and vision of SENDAT Academy Trust

5 Other Requirements Possession of a full driving licence and use of a vehicle. Although the role is based in Bury St Edmunds, occasional travel may be required to other SENDAT sites (if acquired). SENDAT is registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service and the successful applicant will be required to apply for a Disclosure at the enhanced level. If you apply for a job with vulnerable people when you know you are on a barred list you could be fined or face a prison sentence.