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 considered

• 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.

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.

• 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 elevate risk early, not at the point of breach.
• Uphold Hampshire's statutory duties, values and approach to defensible decision‑making.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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

• 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.

• 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