SEND Officer About the Role
We Do Social Work Recruitment are recruiting on behalf of a client for an experienced SEND Officer to support the effective management of statutory SEND casework.
The SEND Officer will work closely with Senior SEND Officers to provide oversight and effective management of a cluster of schools, with responsibility for associated casework, annual reviews and amendments to Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.
This is a detail-focused role requiring a high level of professional knowledge, organisation and accountability. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring amendments to EHC Plans are accurate, legally compliant and completed within statutory timescales.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of annual reviews and associated SEND casework for an allocated cluster of schools.
- Review annual review paperwork, professional reports and advice to determine whether amendments to EHC Plans are required.
- Produce high-quality, concise and legally compliant EHC Plan amendments.
- Identify and obtain any missing information or professional advice required to support the review and amendment process.
- Ensure EHC Plans remain accurate, current and reflective of the child or young person's needs and provision.
- Prepare cases for panel consideration where required.
- Communicate effectively with families, schools and professionals throughout the amendment process.
- Discuss proposed changes and resolve issues prior to finalising EHC Plans.
- Ensure draft amendments are prepared and finalised within the required statutory timescales, including a maximum of eight weeks where applicable.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and ensure all casework is completed to a consistently high standard.
- Work collaboratively with Senior SEND Officers and colleagues to ensure effective oversight and management of cases.
- Make fair, informed and evidence-based decisions in line with legislation, statutory guidance and relevant policies.
- Champion inclusion and promote positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Previous experience working as a SEND Officer or in an equivalent statutory SEND role.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and Children and Families Act 2014.
- Extensive knowledge of the statutory EHC assessment and annual review processes.
- Proven experience producing high-quality, legally compliant EHC Plans and amendments.
- Ability to review professional reports and advice and accurately incorporate relevant information into EHC Plans.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage a caseload and prioritise competing demands.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
- Ability to work effectively within statutory and legal timescales.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with families, schools, colleagues and professionals.
- Ability to analyse evidence, problem-solve and make fair, informed and defensible decisions.
- A strong commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Key Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- Experienced with a strong understanding of statutory SEND processes and EHC Plans.
- Organised able to effectively manage a caseload and prioritise work according to statutory deadlines.
- Detail-oriented committed to accuracy, quality and legal compliance.
- Collaborative able to build constructive relationships with families, schools and professionals.
- Decisive confident in making balanced, evidence-based decisions.
- Solution-focused able to identify issues, obtain appropriate information and find effective solutions.
- Inclusive passionate about championing inclusion and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for an experienced SEND professional who can hit the ground running and manage a busy caseload with confidence. You will need to demonstrate strong knowledge of statutory SEND legislation and processes, alongside the ability to produce high-quality EHC Plans and amendments.
You will be a confident communicator who can work effectively with families, schools and professionals, while maintaining accuracy, professionalism and a strong focus on meeting statutory deadlines.
We Do Social Work Recruitment is acting on behalf of our client in the recruitment of this position.
