SEN Casework Officer

Hours: 37
Recruitment: Social Work Recruitment

We are currently recruiting for an experienced and motivated EHCP Casework Officer to join a busy team supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong knowledge of the Education, Health and Care (EHC) statutory process, excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a complex caseload while working collaboratively with families, schools and professionals.

As an EHCP Casework Officer, you will manage the statutory elements of Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments and Annual Reviews, alongside associated casework for children and young people with complex additional needs.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a caseload of children and young people through EHC Needs Assessments and Plans.
• Drafting, developing and amending EHCPs to ensure they are accurate, person-centred and compliant with statutory requirements.
• Preparing and presenting cases to panels and implementing panel decisions.
• Facilitating and attending co-production and Annual Review meetings.
• Working closely with parents, carers, children and young people, schools, education, health and social care professionals and other agencies.
• Negotiating appropriate educational provision and placements.
• Identifying, negotiating and resolving issues arising from complex casework and multi-agency working.
• Maintaining accurate case management records and ensuring statutory processes and deadlines are met.
• Responding to consultations and progressing appropriate provision and placements.
• Supporting complaints, legal processes, mediation and SEND Tribunal matters where required.
• Contributing to the development of effective SEND practices and delivering training or information to schools, families and professionals where appropriate.

We are looking for a highly organised and confident professional who can manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.

You will ideally have:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths, plus a Level 3 qualification.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, SEND Regulations and Children and Families Act, including statutory EHC timescales.
• An understanding of the needs and experiences of children and young people with SEND and their families.
• Experience working within a busy team and independently using your own initiative.
• Experience managing tight deadlines, competing priorities and a substantial caseload.
• Experience facilitating multi-agency meetings.
• Experience working with families and professionals across education, health and social care.
• Experience writing person-centred plans and high-quality reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to empathise, negotiate, challenge and mediate appropriately.
• Strong administrative and IT skills, including experience using Microsoft applications.
• The ability to build effective and professional relationships with children, young people, families and partner agencies.

Experience working specifically as a SEN Casework Officer, or experience working with children and young people with SEND, would be advantageous.

We are seeking someone who is:

• Child and family focused.
• Highly organised and able to prioritise effectively.
• Confident managing complex casework.
• A strong communicator and relationship builder.
• Comfortable facilitating multi-agency discussions.
• Able to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
• Flexible and able to respond to changing priorities.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Dedicated to delivering a high-quality service for children, young people and their families.

A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is essential for this role.

If you have the experience and expertise required to make a positive difference to children and young people with SEND, we would love to hear from you.