SEND Senior Casework Officer

Job Title: SEND Senior Casework Officer
Two Vacancies Available
Salary: £31,130 - £32,846 per annum (based on 35hr offer)
35 Hour & 17.5 hour per Week contract available
Location: County Hall, Worcester

Permanent

SEND Services, as part of Worcestershire Children First are seeking Senior Casework Officers.

We are looking to fill 1 full-time position and 1 part-time position (17.5 hours, working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). These posts are within our area teams.

The Role
The SEND Service oversees and co-ordinates the Council's responsibilities for SEND. This includes the casework management for over 6,500 children and young adults who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). We are looking for someone who has proven SEND experience and has the right level of knowledge about children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Within the area teams, the role is to support the SEND Manager in the delivery of the statutory processes related to the LA provision for individuals with SEND. You would co-ordinate the work of SEN Casework Officers, this includes making sure that team deadlines are met, for example, EHC plans are drafted to the right standard and on time, and that annual reviews from schools and settings are dealt with promptly. You would work with other Senior Caseworkers across the Service co-ordinating admissions to special schools and autism bases, and dealing with Phase Transfer, Annual Reviews and Worcestershire children attending schools out of County. You may also hold a small number of complex cases.

Within the assessment team, you will be involved in the ongoing monitoring of the EHC Needs Assessment statutory process, including decision making with regard to requests for assessment, ensuring deadlines are met, reports are requested and received within timeframe.

The work is very varied and members of the service deal with a wide range of people and organisations: parents and carers; schools, early education settings and colleges; health professionals such as therapists and paediatricians; social workers; family support workers. You will require good problem-solving skills, the ability to work under pressure and be able to remain professional at all times. 

If you would like further information on this role, please call 01905 846000 and ask for Claire Crabb, Vicky Jarrard or Hayley Davis-Leech.
Benefits
You’ll find an overview of the benefits Worcestershire County Council have to offer on our webpage Why work for us? | Worcestershire County Council, so do take a look!  Some of these offers include:

• Great Holiday Entitlement: As well as bank holidays, you'll get 26 days paid holiday (pro rata for part-time staff). This goes up to 31 days when you have been with us for 5 years. If you get more than 26 days where you work now, don't worry because if you join us without a break, we'll match your holiday up to 31 days. If you’re successful and want to take advantage of this do let us know!
• Brilliant Pension Scheme: The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a nationwide, career average pension scheme and is a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government.
• Professional Learning & Development: We actively encourage learning and development for all our staff should they want to progress further or explore other areas within the organisation.
• Flexible Working: We are proud to offer hybrid working to provide a better work/life balance where possible.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of criminal records via the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands, or final warnings, as well as convictions. The County Council has a commitment to safeguarding service users in our care.

How to Apply

Application forms are invited to apply for this role.
Please find the Job Description and Person Specification attached.

Please write your submission with consideration for the essential and desirable criteria on the Person Specification. This should include examples why you should be considered; the experience, skills and knowledge that you would bring to the post.

Please submit your application form to Recruitment@worcestershire.gov.uk

Application Closing Date: Sunday, 8th September 2024
Anticipated Interview Date: TBC