SEN Casework Team Leader (PO6)

b Overview /b p As SEN Casework Team Leader, you guide a frontline team within SENSAP to secure strong EHC outcomes for children and young people. You will oversee needs assessments, plans and reviews, ensuring fair, lawful decision making and high-quality practice. The role blends leadership, collaboration with education, health and care partners, and proactive service development. You will shape a child-centred, resilient service that champions rights and continuous improvement. This is a pivotal opportunity to influence SEND provision at scale within Leeds. /p b Pay / Benefits /b ul li competitive salary /li li annual leave plus statutory holidays /li li West Yorkshire Pension Fund /li li flexible and hybrid working /li li career development opportunities /li li staff wellbeing benefits /li /ul b Responsibilities /b ul li Provide expert guidance on EHC needs assessment and review under relevant legislation /li li Oversee EHC planning, decision making and quality assurance to ensure timeliness and compliance /li li Lead and develop a team of casework officers, coaching for high performance /li li Collaborate with schools, health and care partners to achieve holistic outcomes /li li Lead responses to complaints, Ombudsman enquiries and SEND Tribunal cases /li li Contribute to service development, policy implementation and performance improvement /li li Represent SENSAP in internal, regional and national meetings /li li Support data management and reporting to leadership and governance bodies /li li Ensure due diligence in budget monitoring and spend related to EHC services /li li Lead on training and professional development within SENSAP /li li Promote restorative, child-centred practice and rights of children and families /li /ul b Key requirements /b ul li substantial SEND casework experience, including managing complex or contentious cases /li li strong leadership and staff coaching abilities /li li expert knowledge of EHC needs assessment, review processes and SEND legislation /li li ability to interpret statutory duties and apply them fairly /li li excellent verbal and written communication, with ability to influence senior leaders /li li reflective, restorative and solutions-focused approach /li li ability to analyse complex information, make sound judgments and manage risk /li li resilience and commitment to continuous improvement /li li willingness and ability to travel across the city for meetings /li li relevant professional qualification (e.g. teaching, social work, youth work) or equivalent experience /li /ul ul li leadership /li li communication /li li collaboration /li li EHC needs assessment /li li SEND legislation knowledge /li li data and case management /li /ul