SEND Co-Production Manager

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:  Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX. Hybrid  
• Salary:  £49,752 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:  37 per week, flexible working options available 
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Co-Production Manager in the CYP Engagement Hub, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities 

You will

• Provide strategic leadership for co-production across the SEND Local Area Partnership, aligning activity with shared priorities, statutory duties and long-term plans.
• Ensure children, young people, parents and carers shape services and decisions, championing their voices in policy development, service planning and transformation.
• Develop and embed high-quality co-production practice, creating innovative partnership-wide plans and supporting colleagues to strengthen standards and ways of working.
• Build and influence strong multi-agency partnerships, working across education, health, social care and community organisations to secure commitment and integrated delivery.
• Lead governance, communication and assurance, presenting complex or sensitive information to senior leaders and boards, monitoring quality and performance, and ensuring risks are managed appropriately.

You will need 

• Proven experience of co-production and engagement, working directly with children, young people, parents, carers and communities to shape policies and services.
• Strong strategic leadership and change management skills, with the ability to develop and deliver partnership-wide plans and embed new ways of working.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, including the confidence to present complex or sensitive information to senior leaders and partnership boards.
• Successful multi-agency partnership working, ideally across education, health, social care and community organisations.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and performance management abilities, with experience of managing competing priorities, risks, resources and service improvement, ideally within a complex partnership environment.
• Knowledge of SEND services and the wider SEND Local Area Partnership, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in this area.

This role requires flexibility, with variable working hours to accommodate occasional early morning and evening meetings.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The team 

The CYP Engagement Hub is a collaborative, partnership-focused team working to improve outcomes for children and young people across Suffolk. The team works closely with education, health, social care and community partners, alongside parents, carers and young people, to ensure lived experience meaningfully shapes SEND services, priorities and decision-making.

Empowering Everyone 

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report. 

For more information 

Please contact Harriet Wakeling (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 260696 or emailing Harriet.Wakeling@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. 

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).  

1. Please provide an example of how you have led or significantly influenced a co-production programme, initiative or service improvement. How did you ensure the voices of children, young people, parents, carers or communities shaped decisions, and what was the outcome?
2. Describe a time when you worked across multiple organisations or professional disciplines to achieve a shared objective. What challenges did you encounter, how did you build commitment from partners, and what was achieved?
3. Tell us about a significant change or improvement you have implemented. How did you gain support from stakeholders, manage resistance, and ensure the change became embedded in practice?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.  

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page. 

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable. 

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412.  You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.  

Closing date: 11.30pm, 29 October 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  #LI-Hybrid