EHC Team Leader (maternity cover) in Kettering

We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council.
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days.
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
• A range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

About the role

• Champion the education of children and young people with special educational needs, actively supporting them in reaching their educational potential and aspirations.
• Support the strategic development of the North Northants EHC Team, especially in regard to phase developments, e.g. EY, primary, secondary and post-16 services.
• Take a lead in supporting and challenging schools and other providers to improve educational attainment, progress, attendance and social, emotional and mental health of children and young people with special educational needs.
• Work collaboratively to contribute to the development of high-quality provision and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs.
• Lead on the implementation and delivery of training and development programmes for a range of key professionals, especially in regard to special educational needs.

What will you be doing?

• Provide challenge and support to schools, settings, wider Local Authority services and external partners by offering advice, organising events, networks and training, and brokering additional support to ensure high-quality provision that meets statutory requirements and improves outcomes for children with SEND.
• Support the EHC Service Manager with the strategic direction of the EHC Team through active engagement in planning and policy development.
• Lead service improvement projects aligned to identified needs (e.g. SEND improvement priorities).
• Analyse data to monitor, track and improve performance, including attendance, progress and statutory timeframes for SEND cohorts; lead and attend meetings and work collaboratively with relevant professionals and agencies.
• Proactively support schools, settings and the EHC Team to improve attendance and progress and reduce exclusions through effective data monitoring, tracking and analysis; produce reports to inform strategic planning, commissioning and targeted interventions.
• Line manage EHC Team staff, providing strong leadership, communication and guidance to secure continuous improvement and ensure inclusive, anti-bias practice.
• Enable and promote the sharing of best practice and resources across teams and settings, delivering advice, challenge, guidance and training to raise educational standards.
• Ensure Education, Health and Care Plans are effective and compliant through robust monitoring, tracking and quality assurance, ensuring the voices of children and young people inform their plans.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, guidance and research relating to SEND, and implement improvements as required.
• Ensure all duties are carried out in line with Council policies and procedures, including safeguarding, equality, health and safety, and financial regulations.
• Support the Council’s Corporate Parenting responsibilities, contributing to the best possible outcomes for children in care and care leavers.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

About you

• You will have a qualification at graduate/post graduate level such as a teaching qualification/social care qualification/health qualification followed by extensive post-qualification experience.
• A robust knowledge of legislation e.g. Children’s Act 2014; Disability Discrimination Act 2005; Care Act and Equality Act 2010; Disability Act 2001; the Equalities Act 2010.
• Experience of analysing complex written information and presenting to others.
• The ability to work closely with other key stakeholders, agencies and parents/carers.
• Good time management and prioritisation ability.
• Data collection and reporting of area to Senior Leadership.
• An ability to provide effective leadership to a team of professionals.
• Experience of co-ordinating and implementing a range of policy developments and initiatives at a senior level.
• Excellent presentation skills.

We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).