Complex Case Officer (SEN) in London

Complex Case Officer (SEN) in London

London Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children with complex needs, ensuring they receive timely help and care.
  • Company: Join a caring council dedicated to making a difference in the community.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing training, and a focus on wellbeing and teamwork.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable young people's lives every day.
  • Qualifications: A-Level education or equivalent experience in SEN, with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

Support children and young people with complex needs, ensuring they receive the right help at the right time. Working as a Complex Case Officer in our Special Educational Needs (SEN) Service means making a tangible difference every day. You'll help ensure children and young people with additional needs get the education, care and support they deserve. This role is about teamwork, precision and compassion - balancing complex casework with a genuine commitment to helping families and schools thrive.

Working Style: You'll be based in the Borough for 3 days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you're working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents' lives.

What you'll be doing: You'll manage statutory and non-statutory casework for some of the borough's most vulnerable pupils, ensuring that all legal responsibilities are met under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEN Code of Practice. Your day-to-day work will be varied and fast-moving. You'll handle a caseload that includes complex cases and those involving legal proceedings, ensuring that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are completed, reviewed and updated on time. You'll pay particular attention to pupils with additional vulnerabilities - such as children who are Looked After, on Child Protection Plans or receiving education outside of school - providing the consistent support and oversight they need.

You'll liaise daily with schools, parents, social workers and health professionals to keep cases moving, always maintaining accurate records on the case management system. You'll also play a key role in school transitions, making sure pupils with EHCPs move smoothly between primary, secondary and post-16 settings. This is a frontline role where attention to detail and empathy go hand in hand. You'll be a steady, reliable presence for families navigating complex systems, and a confident coordinator for professionals working to deliver joined-up support.

What you'll bring: You'll be educated to A-Level or have equivalent work experience in the SEN field, with a sound understanding of the key legislation governing SEND - including the Children and Families Act (2014), the SEN Code of Practice (2015) and the Education Act (1996). You'll have hands-on experience managing casework or a caseload in an education, health or local authority setting, with excellent organisational and administrative skills. You'll be comfortable using case management systems and Excel to track progress, meet deadlines and report effectively.

You'll be an excellent communicator, able to build trust with parents, schools and professionals. You'll bring empathy and resilience to difficult conversations, along with the confidence to negotiate and resolve issues when challenges arise. Above all, you'll live our core values: putting communities first, respecting difference, acting with integrity and working collaboratively. You'll be someone who takes pride in doing what's right for children and families - and doing it well.

Why join us: At RBKC, we're all in - investing in our people, our communities and our future. This is a chance to join a team that sits at the heart of children's services, where collaboration and commitment truly matter. You'll work alongside professionals across education, social care and health, building relationships that make a real difference for vulnerable young people. We'll support your professional growth with ongoing training, mentoring and career development through our We Are Learning Hub and leadership programmes. Our focus on wellbeing, teamwork and inclusion means you'll be part of a workplace that values balance as much as dedication. You'll also enjoy a competitive salary and the satisfaction of knowing that your work directly supports families, strengthens communities and helps children with additional needs to thrive.

About us: Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all. This role is a clear example of what 'we're all in' means. You'll bring determination, care and precision to managing complex cases, balancing compassion with accountability. Every action you take - from coordinating professionals to resolving issues - helps create better outcomes for our children and young people.

Interview Details: Team's (online) interview 17th August 2026. Enhanced DBS will be required for this role. Ready to join us? We're all in - are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will start at the minimum of the advertised salary range. Employees receive annual salary increases until they reach the top of the pay scale. In addition, employees will receive any agreed cost of living pay rises.

Complex Case Officer (SEN) in London employer: ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where community engagement and consumer protection are at the forefront. Employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration, ensuring that you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact in safeguarding consumers and promoting fair trade within the borough.

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

Contact Details:

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Complex Case Officer (SEN) in London

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Complex Case Officer (SEN) in London

Understanding of SEN legislation
Case Management
Organisational Skills
Administrative Skills
Communication Skills
Empathy
Resilience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.