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- Tasks: Support the SEND Operations team in improving outcomes for children with special needs.
- Company: Essex County Council, dedicated to enhancing services for children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help shape the future for children with SEND.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration and knowledge of SEND Code of Practice required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and impactful work.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 24000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to support our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Operations team. Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life experience of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Our vision is for a SEND system which identifies and assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and impactful support without such high dependence on Essex County Council's statutory services. These roles will form part of Essex County Council's (ECC) unique response to the additional demand and provide additional capacity in the team to deliver ECC's statutory duties and meet timescales.
Job Purpose and Accountability's
The SEND Operations Assistant provides administration and support to deliver ECC's statutory duties for SEN assessment, monitoring and review. The postholder is responsible for the following:
- Maintaining a specified allocation of children and young people (CYP) with existing Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). This will include the carrying out of all statutory processes relevant to each child and young person and their EHCP (annual review, amendment to EHCP, cease EHCP), taking responsibility for the progression of all allocated statutory work such that statutory timescales are met.
- Coordinating and securing school placements for CYP at points of transition and liaising with relevant internal and external partners as appropriate. Ensuring ECC's Admissions Team are advised of decisions. Co-ordinating the amendments of the EHCP following change of placement.
- Recognising issues around individual CYP (attendance, safeguarding, lack of progress) and alerting senior managers, recommending and/or seeking advice on next steps.
- Prepare and present information relating to the EHCPs within their allocation for submission to various decision-making panels and undertaking any follow-up work identified by the panel meeting; sharing the decisions with parents and partner agencies.
- Communicating and explaining decisions which are not always positively received both verbally and in writing.
- Representing Essex SEND services by acting as a frontline contact for parents/carers, CYP, schools, settings, and other partner agencies. Recognising where issues need to be escalated. Recognising safeguarding concerns and acting accordingly. Signposting service users to relevant teams where appropriate and taking responsibility for responding directly to queries wherever possible.
- Liaising with other local authorities for CYP who have moved into or are leaving Essex. Ensuring correct paperwork is received and actioned accordingly. Consulting and arranging school placements and arranging appropriate information to enable the amendments of the EHCPs.
- Maintain tracking systems for all students who are at the point of phase transfer each year. Provide support to SEND Operations Partners and SEND Operations Co-ordinators to ensure that statutory processes and timescales are fully complied with and that, where appropriate, EHCPs are ceased in a timely manner.
- Preparing a chronology/summary about individual CYPs to support ECC's response to priority work: Members Enquiries, Local Government Ombudsman Enquiries, Corporate Complaints and SEND Tribunals. Involvement in any additional SEND Tribunal work arising; liaising with the Tribunal Teams and consulting and chasing responses from various provisions.
- Sending out the agreed final versions of EHCPs in the specified timescale.
- Organisation and constant prioritisation of workload to manage high volume of incoming work on a daily basis, alerting senior colleagues where statutory obligations are compromised.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to RQF level 2 or equivalent by experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relating to the LA's statutory duty relating to CYP with SEND.
- Thorough working knowledge of SEND Code of Practice 2015.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including an ability to engage positively within difficult conversations.
- Experience of working successfully as part of busy team in a business support or administrative environment.
- Effective time management and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage own workload under pressure and adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances/situations.
SEND Operations Assistant in Chelmsford employer: Connected Local Government
Contact Detail:
Connected Local Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Operations Assistant in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the SEND sector on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Essex County Council's SEND initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with parents, schools, and various agencies, being able to explain complex information clearly is key. Role-play difficult conversations with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Operations Assistant in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the SEND Operations Assistant role. We want to see how you can contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of communication, both written and verbal, be sure to demonstrate your ability to convey information clearly. Use examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated difficult conversations or provided support.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: The SEND Operations Assistant role requires excellent time management and prioritisation. Share specific instances where you've managed a high volume of work effectively, ensuring deadlines were met without compromising quality.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make a difference in the SEND community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Local Government
✨Know Your SEND Code of Practice
Make sure you brush up on the SEND Code of Practice 2015 before your interview. Understanding the key principles and how they apply to the role will show that you're not just familiar with the terminology, but that you can also apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Prepare for Difficult Conversations
Since you'll be dealing with sensitive topics, think about how you would handle challenging conversations with parents or carers. Practise articulating your thoughts clearly and empathetically, as this will demonstrate your strong communication skills and ability to manage difficult situations.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
The role requires excellent time management and prioritisation skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a high volume of work or met tight deadlines. This will highlight your ability to thrive under pressure.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
This position is all about teamwork, so come prepared to talk about your experience working in busy teams. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others to achieve common goals, and express your enthusiasm for contributing positively to the SEND Operations team.
