SEN Support Officer (Senior Executive Officer)

As part of an area team to be responsible for the management, organisation and implementation of the statutory requirements in relation to children with special educational needs including assessments and statements, annual reviews, amended statements and transition plans.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage the administrative procedures in relation to statutory assessment of children with special educational needs.
• Communicate with parents, Medical Officers and Therapists, social services personnel, principals, teachers, SENCOs and educational psychologists in relation to assessment and statements.
• Provide verbal and written advice on the statutory assessment procedure and advise parents as to their rights in relation to the legislation.
• Draft statements indicating pupil's special needs, provision and support required to meet them; draft a note in lieu of statement when a decision not to make a statement is made; take appropriate action including negotiation and agreement of placement and provision of specialist support arising from the drafting of a statement.
• Support the amendment of statements and the administrative arrangements for special provision to be put in place, including consideration of professional and other advice under the direction of the SEN Link Officer.
• Draft amended statements and recommend and make the administrative arrangements for special provision to be put in place.
• Take appropriate administrative action to cease a statement.
• Attend annual reviews for pupils with statements of special educational needs in the EA area, including those attending schools outside the EA area when required; communicate outcomes and recommendations to parents, principals, educational psychologists, clinical medical officers, social workers, therapists, and take administrative action arising from changes in pupil needs and provision following annual reviews.
• Support administrative procedures in relation to Transition Planning as required.
• Supervise administrative procedures related to the duties above and assist as needed.

General

Any other duties as may be assigned by the Senior Officers. This job description may be reviewed and is not intended to be rigid or inflexible, but provides guidelines within which the individual works.

Equal Opportunity and Safeguarding

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity and pay due regard to equality legislation. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people as regulated activity; a post involving regulated activity may require an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background at pre-employment. Applicants will be responsible for the cost of the Enhanced Disclosure.

Notes to Applicants

Demonstrate on your application form how you meet the essential and desirable criteria; shortlisting is based on essential criteria. The Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist applicants who most strongly meet the criteria.