Statutory SEND Officer

Northumberland County Council's (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities', for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work.

The Statutory Assessment and Review Team within Northumberland County Council coordinates statutory Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and maintains Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The team works with families, schools and multi-agency partners to gather professional advice, ensure statutory timescales are met and oversee the review and amendment of EHCPs.

As a Statutory SEND Officer, you will be responsible for managing a caseload of learners with special educational needs who attend a variety of schools, settings and colleges throughout Northumberland. You will coordinate Education, Health and Care (EHC) Annual Reviews and plan amendments, working closely with families, education settings and partner agencies. You will be responsible for producing high-quality, legally compliant EHC Plans, ensuring statutory requirements are met and supporting children and young people to access the right provision at the right time.

The role offers a blend of office-based working, home working and attendance at meetings across a range of educational settings and community locations. As such, you will need to be confident working autonomously to manage administrative tasks and caseload responsibilities, while also embracing the collaborative nature of working with colleagues, families and multi-agency partners to secure the best outcomes for children and young people.

• Managing a caseload of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, ensuring statutory processes and timescales are met.
• Coordinating EHC reviews, gathering and evaluating advice from education, health, social care and other professionals to inform decision-making.
• Drafting, reviewing and amending high-quality, legally compliant EHC Plans that accurately reflect needs, provision and intended outcomes.
• Working collaboratively with children, young people, families, schools, colleges and multi-agency partners to support effective assessment, planning and review processes.
• Attending and contributing to reviews, professional meetings and decision-making panels, providing advice and recommendations where required.
• Maintaining accurate case records, supporting quality assurance and service improvement activity, and assisting with mediation and SEND Tribunal processes when required.

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, together with experience supporting children and young people with SEND within education, health or social care services.
• Knowledge of SEND legislation and guidance, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice, and the ability to apply this within statutory casework.
• Strong analytical, communication and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work effectively with families, education providers and partner agencies while managing a demanding caseload.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Sarah Jeremiah (Statutory Assessment and Review Team Manager via email; sarah.je)

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) - up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part-time employees)

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