At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate EHC assessments and support children with special educational needs.
- Company: Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority focused on transformational change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for unpaid carers.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to innovation and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families with SEND.
- Qualifications: A-levels or equivalent experience, knowledge of SEND legislation, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 34720 - 34720 £ per year.
- SEND Operations Coordinator
- Fixed Term, Full Time
- Working Style: Community-based worker
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Please note this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for up to 12 months.
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.
The SEND Operations Co-ordinator administers the Education Health and Care (EHC) Assessment process for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and coordinates school placement requests for children moving into Essex with an EHCP.
- Accountabilities
- Coordinate EHC assessments and EHCP review processes, efficiently and effectively, in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and Essex local authority (LA) procedures.
Ensuring all legal documents produced are of a sufficiently high quality to reduce the risk of legal challenge within Tribunal and High Court arenas.
- Act as the LA representative at formal and informal dispute resolution meetings relating to requests for EHC assessments.
- Maintain existing EHCPs to ensure compliance with statutory processes and continued delivery of special educational provision in accordance with Children and Young People's (CYP) EHCPs.
Taking account of Annual Review timescales to appropriately prioritise work and attend priority Annual Reviews were necessary.
- Act as a single point of contact for families and partners during the EHC assessment process providing advice and information throughout the assessment.
Ensure children, young people and their families are fully involved in the assessment and/or review process.
- Responsible for requesting and collating required statutory advice, advising on statutory process and timelines.
- Receive and interpret reports and advice, to draft and amend EHCPs which are accessible, and outcome focused and of sufficiently high quality to reduce the risk of legal challenge and comply with the requirements of the legislation and SEND Code of Practice.
Identify indicative budgets for the Operations Lead.
- Responsible for organising, chairing, and preparing paperwork for Statutory Annual Review Meetings for home educated children, ensuring that the young person and their family and relevant professionals are fully included.
- Responsible for ensuring data is accurately recorded, in a timely manner to enable the Council to report to stakeholders on a range of subjects including statutory timescales, out-of-authority placements and CYP with alternative education offers.
The data will also be used to monitoring and track pupil records.
- The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to RQF level 3 (A level) as a minimum, or equivalent by experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
- Knowledge or experience of working with young people with special educational needs and disabilities and with their families including families that services find hard to reach.
- Thorough working knowledge of SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Children and Families Act 2014.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with a varied audience including professionals and parents/carers who may have additional needs.
- Effective time management and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage own workload and adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances/situations.
- Ability to chair meetings and liaise with other professionals within Education, Health, and Social Care.
To read more about us please visit: Education.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment.
Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost.
Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex.
With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028.
In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority.
You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader.
We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour.
We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process.
Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linked In. Further details can be found on our careers page.
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SEND Operations Coordinator in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Adults Social Workers, offering a community-focused work environment in the diverse areas of Colchester and Tendring. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, ongoing professional development, and flexible working options, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to helping individuals achieve independence and live fulfilling lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Operations Coordinator in Chelmsford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Essex County Counci.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Essex County Counci!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Essex County Counci, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Essex County Counci or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Operations Coordinator in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Essex County Counci:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County Counci! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
