Special Needs Office; SNO

Position: Special Needs Office (SNO)
Hampshire County Council are currently recruiting for a SNO for the 0-11 team.

Fully remote
£345 a day (umbrella)
3 month contract initially with possible extension
Inside IR35
Full time hours only consideredEssentials

Experience of working in similar role within an LA - 12 months minimum ideally longer to experience the whole cycle.
Must have experience managing a small team.
Must have experience carrying out 20 week assessment work Purpose of the Role

Agency Special Needs Officers (SNOs) are expected to operate as senior operational leaders within the Hampshire SEN Service, providing oversight, direction and quality assurance for Education, Health and Care (EHC) processes. Agency status does not alter the level of responsibility, accountability or professional standards expected by Hampshire County Council.

What Hampshire County Council expects of Agency SNOs

Statutory and Professional Accountability Agency SNOs are expected to:

Have a strong, working knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, and relevant regulations.
Ensure statutory compliance across all allocated casework, including:
EHC needs assessment timescales
Annual review and phase transfer duties
Tribunal directions and mediation outcomes
Treat statutory deadlines as non‑negotiable and escalate risk early, not at the point of breach.
Uphold Hampshire's statutory duties, values and approach to defensible decision‑making.
Operational Leadership and Case Oversight Agency SNOs are expected to:

Provide clear case direction for complex, high‑risk or escalated cases through weekly casework management meeting with their EHCCOs.
Oversight the quality, timeliness and lawfulness of EHCPs and associated decision‑making.
Line manage and support allocated EHCCOs (including agency EHCCOs) through:

Regular supervision
Case guidance and problem‑solving
Quality assurance and challenge where required
Ensure clear escalation routes are used appropriately and consistently.

Quality Assurance and Decision‑Making Agency SNOs are expected to:

Apply Hampshire's quality and assurance frameworks consistently.
Make delegated operational decisions within agreed thresholds, including:
Case direction
Process decisions
Recommendations related to funding or placement pathways
Prepare cases appropriately for moderation, panel or senior decision‑making where required.
Ensure record‑keeping is complete, accurate and timely across Hampshire systems (e.g. EHC Hub / Capita).
Collaborative and Multi‑Agency Working Agency SNOs are expected to:

Work constructively with families, education settings and partner agencies.
Model person‑centred, proportionate and solution‑focused practice.
Maintain professional oversight of communication, ensuring it is lawful, clear and evidence‑based.
Support EHCCOs to manage disagreement resolution and tribunal processes effectively.
Support Area Team Managers with mediation and complaint processes
Professional Conduct and Ways of Working Agency SNOs are expected to:

Work in line with Hampshire County Council policies, values and governance arrangements.
Act as visible, reliable leaders within the service.
Accept professional challenge, feedback and direction from Hampshire managers.
Maintain confidentiality, information governance and data protection standards at all times.

Agency status does not change expectations of behaviour, accountability, quality or standards.

Boundaries of the Role Agency SNOs must not:

Make unilateral funding or placement decisions outside agreed authority.
Commit Hampshire County Council to outcomes without appropriate authorisation.
Provide legal advice to families.
Operate independently of Hampshire escalation, moderation or governance arrangements.

Connect2

Hampshire is a trading style of Hampshire & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Hampshire County Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2

Hampshire is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates