Senior Placement Officer (SEND) (E3772) in Crewe

About us At Cheshire East Council we are resident and partner focused with a vision to enable prosperity and wellbeing for all. People really are at the heart of everything we do and that starts with our incredible workforce. We promote a culture of high performance where people can aspire, thrive and flourish, where we strive to deliver best value in everything we do.

For us, success isn’t just about what we achieve, but how we achieve it together. We promote curiosity, excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. We are values led and committed to wellbeing and inclusion for all, where our employees co-created our values of drive, integrity, respect and collaboration which inform all that we do.

We are proud to work for Cheshire East Council and believe you would be too! Join us on a meaningful journey in Children’s Social Care at Cheshire East Council. We’re on a meaningful journey in Children’s Social Care and we’d love for you to be part of it. Joining us means becoming part of a supportive, forward-thinking team that’s passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people. Everything we do is about putting them first, helping them grow, thrive and reach their full potential so they can build brighter futures.

If this sounds like the kind of impact you want to make, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Come and join us in shaping positive change for our young people.

At Cheshire East we’re making significant, tangible investments in our foundations. This includes strengthening our commissioning function, expanding workforce development and creating clearer, more ambitious pathways. To realise these ambitions, we’re seeking experienced, flexible individuals who want to help us shape the future.

You will manage complex brokerage activity, including specialist education, alternative provision, therapies and support packages, ensuring arrangements are cost-effective, outcome-focused and compliant with statutory requirements. You will act as the technical lead within the SEND brokerage function, providing oversight, professional challenge and support to Brokerage Officers, and ensuring timely and appropriate responses to demand.

The successful candidate will lead on:

• The brokerage of complex, high cost or high risk SEND packages, including independent/non maintained specialist settings, AP components, therapies and intensive support arrangements.
• The interpretation of EHCPs, professional assessments and multi-agency evidence to create clear commissioning specifications for providers.
• The provider searches and market engagement, identifying viable options, securing availability and negotiating terms.
• The assurance of accurate cost modelling and value for money assessments are undertaken for all packages and negotiate fees, uplifts, spot purchase arrangements and contract variations within approved financial limits.
• Triangulating brokerage options with Quality Assurance information, provider ratings, embargoes and risk assessments.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Qualification or equivalent in commissioning, administration, SEND, negotiation or brokerage.
• Extensive experience of SEND brokerage, placement sourcing, contract negotiation or complex case co-ordination.
• Demonstrable knowledge of SEND Code of Practice, EHCP process, specialist school markets and alternative provisions.
• Working knowledge of procurement principles, information governance, safeguarding and equality duties.
• Strong skills in negotiation, analytics, professional challenge and working under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Flexible approach to work.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the borough.

What we offer in return:

• A competitive salary– Between £35,412 per annum – £39,152 per annum (CEC NJC – Grade 8) with guaranteed yearly pay increases!
• Enhanced annual leave– Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service.
• Purchase of annual leave – Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Flexible working pattern– Enjoy a 37-hour standard full-time work week with the added perks of flexitime and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible.
• Salary sacrifice green car scheme– Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• White goods salary sacrifice scheme – Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Enhanced public pension– Secure your future with our career average pension.
• Cycle to work scheme – Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment.
• Employee assistance programme– Access a completely free and confidential assistance service.
• Discounted gym membership – Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better reflect and serve our local communities, and together, we can build something truly special.

Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are ‘not protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job.