At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEND by managing EHC Plans and ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within the Local Authority focused on improving lives.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence policy and practice in SEND.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting young people with special educational needs.
To administer all routine and ongoing monitoring and statutory processes for children and young people with EHC Plans within statutory timescales. This will include Annual Review, Phase Transfer, moving in and out of County, and routine enquiries from the young people, and the parents and carers of young people and children, schools and wider professionals or stakeholders.
To adhere to all Local Authority policies, processes and systems associated with Annual Review, complex casework, Phase Transfer, moving in and out of County, Tribunals and Mediation and routine enquiries. To be responsible and accountable for managing a specific caseload. To be the named contact for families/carers and young people and their educational setting within a defined geographical area once an EHC Plan has been finalised and be part of a team responsible for the ongoing monitoring and support to families and young people to ensure that the provision identified in the EHC Plan is provided.
To monitor and arrange the provision as specified in the EHC Plan to meet the child or young person’s needs, ensuring the successful inclusion of children and young people with SEND. The postholder will be required to prepare and/or contribute papers/research information for a variety of purposes, such as Local Authority decision-making panels, Mediation, Tribunals, Annual Review, phase transfer, complaints in relation to children and young people who have an EHC Plan and execute any required actions such as chasing of documentation or updating stakeholders.
To monitor the progress of children and young people with EHC plans through robust scrutiny of the Annual Review paperwork; identifying plans that need to be amended, ceased, and any actions or changes in provision or placement. To ensure that all reviews of EHC Plans are conducted by schools annually and that the procedures adopted by schools are in line with policy on SEN and meet statutory timeframes.
To lead and manage the Annual Review process for children and young people who are Electively Home Educated (EHE) or on Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) packages within statutory timeframes. To lead in managing the Phase Transfer process within statutory timeframes. To lead in managing the mover-in and out process within statutory timeframes. To lead in managing any additional Complex Casework in a timely manner, including linking with the finance and commissioning teams.
To monitor own caseload using data and reports produced to assist and be proactive, taking advice as required. To ensure funding forms are completed and processed in a timely manner following Local Authority decision-making processes. To robustly maintain Local Authority databases, ensuring all records are kept up-to-date and accurate, to ensure a high level of data quality.
To contribute to the decision-making process for each of their given cases, based on evidence given; this will include preparing and presenting information to decision making panels. To be accountable for the content and quality of Draft, Final and amended EHC plans.
To initiate, organise and represent the Local Authority at meetings in relation to Statutory processes and complex casework, including but not limited to coproduction meetings, annual review meetings, statutory Social Care meetings, Way forward meetings, mediation meetings, panel meetings and meetings with key stakeholders, both internal and external.
To maintain positive and effective relationships with education settings, health and social care and ensuring that the service works effectively in partnership with all key stakeholders, professionals, and other appropriate services linked to the child and family's needs.
To know and be able to explain to others, specifically the families/carers of children and young people and schools, how to navigate the Local Offer website and locate relevant information. To ensure a comprehensive handover between the EHCP Assessment Officer, EHCP Casework Officer and Tribunal Officer to ensure that families, children, and young people have a seamless experience as they move through the service.
To participate in the Local Authority's processes for monitoring and quality assurance. To contribute to the development of policy, procedures and provision for children with SEND. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge relating to EHCP Casework, including changes to national legislation and departmental policies. To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time by the Lead Officer and senior managers. To prepare and present some appeal cases on behalf of the Local Authority in Tribunal.
SEND Casework Officer in Oxford employer: Social Care Locums
As an Executive Lead in Planning & Highways Law, you will join a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises professional development and collaboration. Our organisation offers competitive benefits, a strong commitment to employee growth, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the community. Located in a vibrant area, we foster a culture of inclusivity and innovation, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our corporate agenda.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Casework Officer in Oxford
✨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 Social Care Locums.
✨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 Social Care Locums!
✨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 Social Care Locums, 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 Social Care Locums 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 SEND Casework Officer in Oxford
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 Social Care Locums:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Social Care Locums! 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 Social Care Locums
✨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.