Planning & Strategy Officer

Overview

In this role you will lead the ongoing development and maintenance of the Funded Early Learning Code of Practice, ensuring it reflects legislation and local policy. You will coordinate Notices of Concern, service Early Years enquiries, and translate data and policy updates into practical guidance for managers, providers, and partners. You will support service improvement through analysis and cross-team collaboration, contributing to high-quality, inclusive early education across Sheffield. This is an opportunity to directly impact governance, delivery, and outcomes for children and families in the city.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working opportunities
• generous holiday entitlement
• guaranteed interview scheme
• opportunity for flexible working (part-time/job share)
• workforce diversity and inclusion emphasis
• support for caring responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Lead the review, development and ongoing maintenance of the Funded Early Learning Code of Practice
• Monitor national policy, legislation and statutory guidance, translating changes into local policy and practice
• Coordinate and service Notice of Concern meetings, including preparing information, recording decisions and tracking actions
• Support the effective management of Early Years enquiries, ensuring responses are accurate, timely and customer focused
• Analyse enquiries, concerns and performance information to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
• Provide clear policy advice, briefings, reports and guidance for managers, colleagues, providers and other stakeholders
• Build effective relationships across the Council and with early years providers and partner organisations
• Contribute to wider Early Years planning, quality assurance and service improvement activity

Key requirements

• experience of policy, strategy, service planning or quality assurance in a complex organisation
• ability to interpret legislation and guidance, and turn complex information into practical advice
• knowledge of early years services, funded early learning or local authority responsibilities would be an advantage
• highly organised; able to manage competing priorities and coordinate formal meetings
• strong analytical, communication and relationship-building skills
• commitment to improving outcomes for children and families and delivering a responsive service to early years providers

• analytical
• communication
• relationship-building
• organization
• customer-focused

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