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- Tasks: Join the Education Health and Care Team as an EHC Officer, supporting children with Special Educational Needs.
- Company: West Northamptonshire Council is a new authority focused on delivering exceptional services to the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, flexible working options, and employee discounts with local retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while thriving in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience working with families and children with SEND is essential; strong organisational skills are a must.
- Other info: This role requires an enhanced DBS check and offers ongoing training and development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Our Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays.
- An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Car Lease scheme.
- Payment of professional subscription/membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Commsave - Free membership to Commsave Credit Union who provide a variety of savings accounts, loans, a monthly lottery draw and more!
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
- Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that is genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.
About the role
Are you looking for a new challenge? Can you make a difference for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability? The Education Health and Care Team are looking for new EHC Officers to join the Council, as part of our ambitious transformation programme. The EHC Officer is responsible for ensuring statutory timescales are met for his or her area. This is both statutory assessments and annual reviews. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Children and Adults Barred List check. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
What will you be doing? Duties may include:
- Making decisions to agree EHC needs assessments and issuing EHC Plans.
- Attending formal mediation.
- Managing a team of caseworkers and admin staff.
- Making decisions based on annual review reports.
- Liaising with schools and other professionals and parents.
About you
Successful applicants will have experience of working with families, children and young people in a professional capacity and will need to evidence that they have worked as an effective team member and leader. You will have significant experience working with children and young people with SEND, and have the skills to empathise, mediate and support families with complex processes, including giving difficult messages. You will need to be able to organise competing priorities. Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be required to complete a One Page Profile before the interview and a short scenario task on the day of the interview as part of the recruitment process.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity and want to make a real difference to young people and families, we look forward to receiving your application. If you would like to discuss this position, please email Paulette.Wright@westnorthants.gov.uk.
About us
We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities. Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people. When potential is unlocked, talent thrives. Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day. West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
EHC Officer, NN1 ED employer: West Northamptonshire Council
Contact Detail:
West Northamptonshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land EHC Officer, NN1 ED
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Education Health and Care (EHC) process. Understanding the statutory assessments and annual reviews will give you a solid foundation to discuss during your interview, showcasing your knowledge and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've supported families through complex processes, as this will demonstrate your empathy and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the One Page Profile and scenario task by practising how to summarise your professional journey and approach to challenges. This will help you present yourself clearly and confidently during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Research West Northamptonshire Council's values and culture. Aligning your personal values with theirs will not only help you in the interview but also show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission to make a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace EHC Officer, NN1 ED
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the EHC Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with these duties.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience working with children and young people, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Provide specific examples of how you've supported families and managed complex situations.
Prepare for the One Page Profile: Since shortlisted candidates must complete a One Page Profile before the interview, prepare this document in advance. Summarise your professional background, key skills, and what makes you a suitable candidate for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only expresses your interest in the position but also reflects your understanding of the council's values and mission. Make sure to convey your passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Northamptonshire Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of an EHC Officer. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the duties, especially in relation to working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
✨Prepare for Scenario Tasks
Since candidates will need to complete a scenario task during the interview, practice responding to potential scenarios related to EHC needs assessments or annual reviews. Think about how you would handle difficult conversations with families and how to mediate effectively.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
As the role involves managing a team of caseworkers and admin staff, be ready to provide examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've successfully led teams in the past and how you can motivate and support your colleagues.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Safeguarding
Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, be prepared to talk about your understanding of safeguarding principles and your commitment to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your dedication to this area.
