SEND Casework Officer

Job Title: SEND Casework Officer
Salary: £27,687 - £29,669 per annum
35 Hours per Week
Location: County Hall, Worcester
Permanent
 

The Role
We are expanding our team, and this is an exciting opportunity to make a difference and continue to develop the good work identified in our most recent Ofsted Inspection which has provided us with a platform for improvement.

We are looking for a number of SEND Casework Officers to join our team supporting the co-ordination and management of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Assessments and plans for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

You will be responsible for the statutory element of the EHCP process, ensuring that processes are followed, and deadlines are met. This will include writing and issuing EHC Plans, attending annual reviews, updating EHC plans, and ensuring that outcomes are identified that include a focus on Preparation for Adulthood. You will manage an individual caseload involving complex children & young people, including early years with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and be able to react to changing priorities on a daily basis. A typical day includes carrying out a set of predictable activities, as well as responding to communications from schools, settings, parents, and other professionals, and sometimes dealing with the unexpected.

The majority of our work is office based and involves liaising with professionals, parent/carers, children, and young people regarding the content of EHCPs and advising on the LA’s statutory duty relating to these plans and their reviews. Our work is important because what we do, and how we do it, directly affects children, young people parents, and carers, and the settings and schools that provide their education.

We are looking for a good all-round communicator, who will join a supportive Casework Team where you will be trained, supported, and nurtured to develop and succeed. This is a challenging, responsible, and interesting role within a very busy working environment.

Applicants must have considerable experience of working in a service that focuses on children and young people with SEND, either in a Children's Services provision or in a service that secures and monitors provision.

You will need to be motivated and well-organised individual who has knowledge and relevant experience of working within SEND legislation and procedures and can adapt to working in a fast-paced environment. A caseworker will have the ability to manage conflicting priorities and monitor legal timescales. They should be able to manage and prioritise their own workload and have knowledge of special educational needs practices and have a commitment to learning new skills.

You will have a sensitive approach to the requirements of children with SEN and also their families and will be confident in building relationships with families, colleagues, and stakeholders. In addition, you will have good IT and written communication skills. You will be able to deal with a range of complex information and have experience in SEN administration, including decision making within agreed procedures.

This post has been identified as suitable for flexible working which enables the post holder to work a % of their working time away from the office. For further information on the role, please contact Victoria Jarrard, SEND Manager, at vjarrard@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk, or Lisa Long, SEND Manager, at LLong2@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk.

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.
• 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
Applications 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 send your completed application to: Recruitment@worcestershire.gov.uk

Application Closing Date: Sunday, 13th October 2024
Anticipated Interview Date: 23rd & 24th October 2024