EHC Assessment & Review Officer - REQ005262

Job title: EHC Assessment and Review Officer

Salary: SO1 £34,434 - £36,363

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House/Hybrid

As an EHC Assessment & Review Officer, you’ll be part of a team that enables children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to access the education and support they need to fulfil their potential. You will contribute directly to the local authority’s duties under the Education Act 1996, Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Regulations 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015, helping ensure assessments, plans and reviews are carried out effectively and within statutory timescales.

You will work restoratively with families, education settings and multi‑agency partners to ensure children and young people experience a coordinated, transparent and holistic assessment process. This role is central to improving both the quality and timeliness of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans across the city.

Leeds Children’s Services are rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and we are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds - a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up with voice and influence.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, recruiting people who embody our values and contribute toward the Leeds Best City Ambition, focused on health and wellbeing, inclusive growth and strong, thriving communities.

About you

As an EHC Assessment & Review Officer, you will bring:

a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification, or a strong track record in a similar role

the ability to analyse and summarise multi‑agency professional reports clearly, logically and accurately

strong communication skills, including the ability to deliver sensitive messages and manage difficult conversations constructively

a restorative, reflective approach to working with families and partners

good judgement in relation to SEND and the provision required to meet children’s needs

the ability to work independently, manage competing pressures and remain organised in a fast‑paced environment

confidence using ICT and digital systems

the ability to travel around the city when needed

A basic understanding of the SEND Code of Practice is essential; additional knowledge of SEND legislation or experience in wider education/social care settings is desirable.

About the role

In this role, you will:

support Casework Officers with a caseload of children and young people, ensuring their needs and aspirations are placed at the centre of all decision‑making

help families understand their rights, the assessment process and the purpose of EHC plans

work flexibly across the service to meet key pressures and priorities

contribute to drafting new assessments and ensuring annual reviews are completed within statutory timeframes

liaise with schools, colleges, Educational Psychologists, Health teams and Social Care to ensure timely, accurate information is gathered

support the improvement of EHC plan quality, including quality checking and helping settings improve their contributions

attend or chair annual reviews and multi‑agency meetings where appropriate

provide clear information and advice to families regarding placement, provision and funding considerations

contribute to data collection and statutory returns

help monitor children not receiving 25 hours education, those electively home educated, or those new to the authority

You will play an essential part in ensuring children and young people have a meaningful voice and are fully involved in shaping their plans and provision.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays

membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions

flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities

a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Owain Talbot, SEN Casework Team Leader (owain.talbot@leeds.gov.uk).

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Focusing on children and young people’s outcomes, and enabling children and families in Leeds, this post involves the management of Special Educational Needs’ (SEN) casework and the effective administration of the procedures relating to the assessment, (including statutory assessment), of children with special educational needs currently determined by the Education Act 1996 and Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014.  You will work in collaboration with the rest of the service and other partners to monitor the provision and outcomes for children with SEN and to improve the quality of EHC plans and the timeliness.   To ensure statutory targets and local authority performance indicators are met.   To work within a cross service setting and within a multi-agency context. 

Responsibilities

To support the Casework Officer with a caseload of children and young people in the city placing children with complex needs at the heart of all that we do and providing a joined up approach to working with other services to ensure that children and young people have a holistic assessment and so that families experience a coordinated assessment process.

To move flexibly around the team to provide support where it is needed most and to adapt to different methods of delivering support.

To make appropriate independent judgements about casework and to speak to families about complex cases on behalf and with the Casework officer where there may be some challenge. To be able to look for solutions to casework and offer these to families.

To work to ensure that children and young people with complex needs have a voice and are enabled to influence their learning outcomes.

Liaising with the allocated CO to work with parents directly to support and to advise them as their children are undergoing a statutory assessment or related assessment process in order that they fully understand their rights, and are empowered to express their views regarding the education of their children.

To support with the drawing up of new assessments within 20 weeks, including writing new assessments where needed and as well as completing the annual reviews for children with an EHC plan within the statutory timeframe.

To liaise, advise and maintain close contact with those professionals involved in the statutory assessment process (Schools/Colleges, Educational Psychologists, Health Authorities, Social Care etc.) and to advise them on the progress of individual children.

To work with the Casework officer, (Cos) Casework Team Leader and SENSAP team leader to improve the quality of the EHC plans.  Including proactive follow up of advice, quality checking and supporting the team around training to settings and partners on how to write quality information to support an EHC plan.

To attend annual review of children/young people with EHC plans where appropriate and to support the Casework officer and team with support around key team priorities.  To chair these reviews where appropriate on behalf of the Local Authority.

To provide data and information as needed to support the SENSAP core business work around preparation for the SEN 2 return and ongoing Freedom of Information requests and casework allocation and organisation.

To organise, attend and chair meetings, where Casework officer considers this is appropriate on their behalf, with parents and schools/colleges including multi agency professionals to discuss specific issues associated with provision for individual pupils with special educational needs.  This can be for new assessments and annual reviews.

To assist COs to support all families with children and young people, 0-25, parents on the appropriate educational provision and placement of their children following statutory assessment, annual review, or for pupils moving into the Authority, to respond and negotiate placements, funding, provision, outside agency support and legal matters relating to the child’s special educational needs and parental rights.  This includes support around Tribunal cases.

To advise schools, parents and Children’s Services regarding out of authority placements and to prepare business cases where appropriate for out of area placements.  To support the Senior Casework Team Leader

To give general advice to parents and schools on Children’s Services policies and statutory guidance on exclusions, admissions and attendance issues as well as be able to follow up and provide solutions.

To support at parent and SENSAP sessions where the team is gathering families feedback and other parent group sessions as appropriate.

To provide flexible support throughout the working day to respond to families and stakeholders in a way that supports good communication for the whole team and provides a timely response to all.

To oversee the list of children not receiving 25 hours, those who are Electively Home Educated and those pupils who move in to make sure that the LA has good oversight and monitoring of these pupils.

To actively ensure that children and young people have voice and influence.

To provide case statements for the Statutory Assessment and Provision Lead on request.

To be able to advise parents and settings and partners about key Funding For Inclusion information.

To contribute to maintaining the efficient use of Children’s Services resources for children with special educational needs.

To assist in the administration of Children’s Services Additional Learning Support and advice schools and parents about the criteria and procedures relating to Additional Learning Support.

To work with providers for early identification of learners whose education needs cannot be met in the city.

To contribute to in service training programmes with schools, parents and Officers of Children’s Services

To maintain the highest personal standards through participating in continuing professional development;

To undertake Performance Development Reviews.

To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time by the SEN Team Lead, Statutory Assessment and Provision Lead

To participate in and provide training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Statutory Assessment and Provision Lead.

To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

The post holder should have a relevant degree and/or equivalent professional qualification such as social work, youth work, education welfare or teaching/careers or a proven track record in a similar post. 

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Managing Information - analyse and interpret multi agency professional reports, to make judgements about children’s special educational needs and the provision required to meet those needs. Summarise reports in a logical clear and concise way.

Managing self and resources – work independently and manage time effectively; manage incremental and fundamental change effectively. Respond flexibly to new ideas and promote change as a natural process within the Company and the wider social context.

The ability to work restoratively and to use reflective learning as a means to continually improve practice and knowledge.

Deliver sensitive messages in a constructive way. Present feedback with sensitivity, honesty and clarity. Deal effectively with conflict.

Maintain the highest levels of mediation, negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills ensuring professional standards in managing and responding to complex issues are maintained.

Use ICT and technology effectively

The ability to travel across the city to different schools and settings on a daily basis.

Basic understanding of the SEN Codes of Practice

Relevant skills gained from additional experience e.g. in non-educational settings or through qualifications e.g. counselling, conflict resolution.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embraceLeeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct

Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the LeedsAmbitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city

Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures

Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills

Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council

Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person

Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Excellent knowledge of the legislation applying to special educational needs. In particular, the Education Act 1996; the SEN & Disability Act 2001 and the subsequent Codes of Practice attributed to these Acts.

Good understanding of Part 3 of Children and Families Act and SEN code of practice 2015

Working knowledge of other wider legislation relating to education of children with special educational needs e.g. exclusions, attendance and admissions

Knowledge and understanding of the criteria for statutory assessment and Funding For Inclusion/Additional Learning Support

An understanding of related Children’s Services policies relating to special educational needs

Relevant skills gained from additional experience e.g. in non-educational settings or through qualifications e.g. counselling, conflict resolution.

Committed to continuous improvement.

The ability to reflect on practice, to be resilient.

Ability to understand and observe the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies. 
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.

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