Assessment Hub Lead - EHC Team Manager in Portsmouth

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Assessment Hub Lead EHC (Team Manager) to join our busy and high‑performing team. In this pivotal role, you will lead and support the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) team to ensure the statutory 20‑week assessment process is delivered effectively and that high‑quality Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are produced in line with the SEND Code of Practice and the Local Authority’s values, policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the EHCNA process, ensuring statutory timescales are met and EHCPs are of a consistently high standard.
• Champion the effective use of the SEND case management system, ensuring accurate and timely updates by all team members.
• Provide leadership and quality assurance to ensure EHCPs reflect best practice and are centred around the needs of children and young people.
• Ensure that children, young people and their families are at the heart of all decisions and actions taken by the team.
• Work collaboratively with families, schools, settings and wider stakeholders to coordinate assessments and support that maximise outcomes.
• Chair key decision‑making panels, including Decision to Assess and Decision to Issue.
• Manage a small team of officers, providing supervision, guidance and support to ensure effective delivery of statutory responsibilities.
• Lead on staff development, identifying training needs and supporting professional growth.
• Offer expert advice and support to colleagues, service users and partner agencies.
• Promote inclusive practices and ensure that school placements are appropriately matched to the needs of each pupil.

What We Are Looking For

• A strong understanding of what constitutes a high‑quality EHCP and the statutory assessment process.
• Proven leadership experience within SEND services or a related field.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• A collaborative and child‑centred approach to service delivery.
• In‑depth knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and relevant legislation.
• Appropriate staff management in line with Council processes and procedures.
• Transparent decision making with consideration to Council budgets and effective use of public funds.

In Return We Will Offer You

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Generous local government pension scheme package.
• Access to wider training and development qualifications.
• Flexible working scheme.
• Travel plan discounts.
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service.
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers.

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. The salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for short‑listing and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met.

Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached. The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels: Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview; Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practiced in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A; Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Our Organisation

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula. Situated in Kent in the South‑East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London. We provide all local government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more – everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost‑effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile.

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online. Further guidance on good practices for employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues is available at https://www.mindfulemployer.net.