Assessment Officer (0–25 Statutory SEND Service)

Overall Purpose of Job

The post holder is responsible for the effective administration under the Education Act 1996 and Children and Families Act 2014 of the statutory assessment of children and young people’s special educational needs, including their subsequent placement, monitoring and annual review. The post holder will report to the SEND Team Manager; this role does not have line management responsibilities. To act as a named Case Officer for children and young people 0-25 with complex additional needs supporting them through the statutory EHC assessment process, securing placements, providing support during key transition stages and completing annual reviews in line with the SEND Code of Practice and Children and Families Act 2014.

The SEND Case Officer will support schools and settings with complex assessments, annual reviews and reassessments for children and young people with SEND, issuing and maintaining good quality EHCPs that enable the delivery of positive outcomes for children. This post holder will support the delivery of the multi-agency Quality Assurance Framework for EHCPs, advice and reviews ensuring that local practice is of a high standard. The post holder will support the SEND Team Manager to ensure all phased transfer processes are completed within required timescales.

Key Tasks and Accountabilities

• Support the Council’s vision to enable every resident under 25 to be safe, happy and cared for, with positive activities to secure their long-term wellbeing.
• Discharge SEND Case Officer Responsibilities, on behalf of the Council, by co-ordinating, advising and negotiating support for children and young people.
• Maintain and initiate effective and timely communication with families, practitioners and partners throughout your involvement.
• Co-produce plans with children, young people and their families to ensure they are person centred and the needs and ambitions of the child are fully reflected in their plans.
• Commission and analyse professional advice from a wide range of sources in order to write and deliver tailored plans and support.
• Embed person centred and timely transition planning, promote the voice of the child and maximise opportunities for partnership work with parents and carers.
• Write, prepare and present information at the multi-agency SEND panel to support transparent, timely and consistent decision making.
• Create high quality, outcomes focused, and personalised Education, Health and Care plans, within statutory timescales.
• Prioritise the participation of children, young people, parents and carers from the outset, being clear about parameters, treating all parties with dignity and respect.
• Ensure that information and communications with children and families are provided in an accessible format considering any language, communication needs and/or cultural barriers.
• Facilitate the placement of children and young people in settings appropriate to their special educational needs, as set out in their Education, Health and Care Plan and develop personal budgets.
• Conduct consultation exercises with schools and settings for children and young people in line with the SEND Code of Practice and local frameworks.
• Review the outcomes of Annual Review meetings and respond to changes within the statutory time period in accordance with the decision of the SEN panel and liaise with partner services and schools as appropriate to implement them.
• Attend targeted review, team around the family, or transition meetings, as required by the SEND Team Manager, both in and outside of the borough and consider the children and young people’s development, aspirations, outcomes and planning required.
• Deliver work tasks allocated to you within timescales, using information and formal supervision to highlight any barriers to this in a timely way.
• Respond to complex enquiries, challenges and or complaints in a professional and relational manner that supports resolution and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Uphold the council’s HEART values and promote inclusive practice.
• Work with parents, carers, settings and professionals to wherever possible resolve conflict disagreements without the need to enter into more formal dispute routes through mediation and tribunals.
• Prepare information that may be required when the Council is challenged through the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
• Support the leadership team by responding promptly and positively to requests which will include things such as providing reports, promoting the Local Offer and attending events.
• Uphold the highest data quality standards throughout the team, leading by example.
• Ensure effective case recording and tracking so that information is available to report progress against key performance indicators.
• Report any data quality challenges and opportunities in a timely way and seek opportunities to strengthen processes.
• Undertake any special projects as identified and directed by the SEND Team Manager with a focus on Special Educational Needs and Disability or the service.
• Adhere to guidance on the use of council premises and equipment as directed by the SEND Team Manager.