SENA Case Manager in London

As a Senior SENA Case Manager, you will support high‑quality SEND assessment, planning and review activity. You will hold a caseload of predominantly complex cases and act as the lead professional, ensuring work is delivered in line with SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and local policies, with children and families at the centre of practice. Working closely with the SENA Team Manager, you will also contribute to practice leadership within the team, providing guidance, supervision and developmental support to Case Managers, and helping to drive continuous improvement across the service.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex statutory SEN assessments, reviews and planning activity using a person‑centred approach.
• Prepare for and represent the local authority at mediations and SEND appeal tribunals alongside Legal Services and partner agencies.
• Attend and lead a range of formal meetings, including annual reviews, co‑production meetings, mediation meetings and tribunal hearings.
• Model high‑quality casework practice and support the professional development of colleagues through coaching, joint working and practice education.
• Provide line management and professional supervision to SENA Case Managers in line with the supervision framework.
• Use performance data and service intelligence to inform decision making, quality assurance and service improvement.
• Support process improvement, service reviews and the development of efficient, effective SEND systems and digital pathways.
• Take thematic or lead responsibility for agreed areas of policy, practice development or quality assurance.
• Work in close partnership with education settings, parents/carers, young people, health, social care and other statutory and non‑statutory partners.
• Act as a key liaison point between Case Managers and the SENA Team Manager when required.
• Contribute to complaints handling, audit activity and safeguarding responsibilities within the service.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification (or equivalent experience within the SEND field) and evidence of continuing professional development.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and local authority statutory duties.
• Experience supporting and developing colleagues through supervision, coaching or joint working.
• Proven ability to lead complex multi‑agency, person‑centred casework and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Significant knowledge of the factors and influences which can impact on children achieving positive outcomes, including cognitive development, physical difficulties or other SEN needs.
• Advanced skills in communication, both written and verbal, with children, young people, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals, and the ability to present information in formal settings such as person‑centred planning meetings, annual reviews, mediations and tribunal proceedings.
• Ability to work flexibly, manage competing demands and meet deadlines in a high‑pressure statutory environment.
• Required: Enhanced DBS check (with barred list).

Flexible working: Part‑time working, job sharing, term‑time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working may be discussed on a case‑by‑case basis.