Job Description
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Please note that job opportunities exist in Colchester, Basildon, Harlow and Braintree and both full and part time opportunities are available. Please state on your application which location and hours are preferred.
The SEND Operations Co-ordinator administers the EHCNA process for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and coordinates school placement requests for children moving into Essex with an EHCP.
Educated to RQF level 3 or equivalent by experience, thorough knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and experience of working with young people with SEND.
Service/Functional Accountabilities
Co-ordinate the EHCNA and EHCP review processes, efficiently and effectively, in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and Essex local authority procedures. This will require excellent drafting skills to ensure that the legal document produced is of a sufficiently high quality to reduce the risk of legal challenge within Tribunal and High Court arenas. However, there will be a requirement to act as the LA representative at formal and informal dispute resolution meetings relating to requests for EHC needs assessments.
Maintain existing EHCP's to ensure compliance with statutory processes and continued delivery of special educational provision in accordance with CYP's EHCP's. This will involve consideration as to who is required to attend Annual Reviews so that work is appropriately prioritised and attending priority Annual Reviews were necessary.
Act as a single point of contact for families and partners during the EHCNA providing advice and information throughout the assessment.
Responsible for requesting and collating required statutory advice, advising on statutory process and timelines.
Ensure children, young people and their families are fully involved in the EHCNA and/or review process.
Drafting and amending EHCP's that are accessible, and outcome focused. Identifying indicative budgets for the Operations Lead. Receiving and interpreting reports and advice to prepare an EHCP which is of sufficiently high quality to reduce the risk of legal challenge and comply with the requirements of the legislation and SEND Code of Practice.
Organising, preparing paperwork for and chairing Statutory Annual Review Meetings for home educated children, ensuring that the young person and their family and relevant professionals are fully included.
Taking responsibility for ensuring that data is recorded accurately and in a timely manner to enable the Local Authority to report to stakeholders on a range of subjects including statutory timescales, out-of-authority placements and CYP with alternative education offers. The data will also be used to monitoring and track pupil records. for example, Capita.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Knowledge, skills and experience
• Educated to RQF level 3 as a minimum or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area
• Knowledge or experience of working with young people with special educational needs and disabilities and with their families including families that services find hard to reach.
• Thorough working knowledge of SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with a varied audience including professionals and parents/carers who may have additional needs.
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage own workload and adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances/situations.
• Ability to chair meetings and liaise with other professionals within education, Health and Social Care.
Qualification certificates should be brought to interview.
To apply for this role please visit Essex County Council's recruitment website www.workingforessex.com
Information about the School
Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda – one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We’re immensely proud of our flexible working options.