Job title: SEN Casework Officer
Salary: £43,421 to £46,464
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House/Hybrid
As a SEN Casework Officer, you’ll thrive on unlocking the talent and potential of children and young people by enabling their full participation in education, whatever challenges they face.
It’s not all about plans and processes, you bring creativity and passion to your work with young people and their families. You involve them in conversations and decisions and work productively with partners who share your ambition for all young people to live and learn to their full ability.
You’ll be a key team member within our Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment and Provision (SENSAP) service. Our overarching goal in SENSAP is to enable children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to access education with all the support they need to fulfil their potential and carry out the local authority’s duties under the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2014, and related legislation.
Leeds children’s services are rated outstanding by Ofsted. We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds and want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy, and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a SEN Casework Officer, you will bring to the role:
- a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification, such as social work, youth work or teaching, or a proven track record in a similar role.
- ability to analyse, interpret and clearly summarise professional reports from various sources.
- reflective and restorative approach to continually improve practice and build positive relationships.
- skills in mediation, negotiation, and communication with the ability to handle conflict and deliver sensitive messages constructively.
- good judgement about SEND and the appropriate provision for children and young people, with awareness of the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
You will regularly have to travel around the city on school and home visits.
About the role
The role is integral to our Education, Health, and Care (EHC) casework team. We work closely with the wider SENSAP service to ensure young people with SEND can achieve their life aspirations.
In SENSAP we take a forward-thinking, innovative approach to our statutory duty, which is to delegate high needs funding, support inclusive SEND practice in education settings and manage education, health and care assessments and plans. We fully engage children, young people and families in key decision making to help them understand their options and we work together to find the educational placement that best meets an individual’s needs.
As a SEN Casework Officer, you will work closely with children and families, other practitioners, and agencies to gather the insight you need to conduct an EHC assessment and, if appropriate, write an EHC plan. You will identify clear objectives and hold annual reviews to support the child or young person to make progress and become equipped for adulthood in time. You will lead on disagreement resolution and represent the council at formal mediation and in appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND). You will use your skills to research and communicate the local authority’s legal duties to our families, schools, and other professionals.
The EHC team oversee provision and admissions for children and young people who have an EHC plan, at all levels from nursery to school and post-16, in both mainstream and specialist settings.
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) or Michael Whytock, SEN Casework Team Leader (michael.whytock@leeds.gov.uk).
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job description
- To be the named officer overseeing the statutory EHC processes for children and young people (CYP). ensuring a timely, holistic joined up approach to the assessment of CYP. This includes championing Section 19 of the Children and Families Act by working with parents or where relevant young people aged between 0 - 25 to support and provide advice and ensure that they participate as fully as possible throughout the EHC needs processes.
- This work may also include working flexibly within the team within all areas of the team as required by the Service.
- To oversee and implement the administration of the statutory EHC needs assessment procedures of the Children and Families Act Part 3, including Referral, Assessment, and Annual Review and advise and respond appropriately on behalf of the Local Authority to its legal statutory implications.
- To liaise, advise and maintain close contact with those professionals involved in the EHC needs assessment process (schools/settings, Educational Psychologists, Health Authorities, Social Care etc.) and to advise them on the progress of individual children.
- To draft, amend or finalise Education Health and Care Plans for circulation following the completion of the assessment or annual review. To follow the correct legal processes.
- To monitor children’s progress through Annual Reviews and to respond to reviews in line with the legal timeframe.
- To organise, chair and review progress of children with EHC plans where parents are educating children otherwise than at school. To represent Children’s Services in the statutory annual review process as and when required.
- To actively ensure that children and young people have voice and influence and Section 19 is embedded in all casework practice.
- To organise, chair and attend meetings with parents and schools including multi agency professionals to discuss specific issues associated with provision for individual pupils with special educational needs. This includes chairing the Multi-Agency Panel meeting (MAP or equivalent)
- To advise and assist parents regarding appropriate educational provision and placement and cases where pupils have been referred under the Health-Education Notification process.
- To advise and assist parents on the appropriate educational provision and placement of their children following EHC needs 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.
- To attend annual reviews and meetings where school and parents request to advise on complex SEN issues, chairing meetings where required.
- To implement Children’s Services’ transport policy in relation to transport for children and young people with special educational needs and medical difficulties.
- 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 manage relevant staff members within the team and to respond flexibly to the changing shape of the service as the team responds to increases in demand.
- To prepare cases for Case Review Panel to enable the LA to make decisions around placements in line with the legal framework.
- To give general advice to parents and schools on Children’s Services policies and statutory guidance on exclusions, admissions and attendance issues.
- To provide written case statements for Local Government Ombudsman when required and prepare responses to complaints where appropriate.
- To reduce the need for families to complain by having good communication but where necessary to manage complaints and legal challenges including supporting the preparation of press releases.
- To chair and organise conciliation meetings where parents are in disagreement with Children’s Services in order to prevent appeals to SENDIST.
- To provide advice to Children’s Services and schools regarding the Disability Discrimination Act and appeals to SENDIST about disability discrimination.
- To advise parents regarding the SENDIST appeals procedure as indicated in the Act.
- To prepare the case statement, co-ordinate and chair pre tribunal meetings and represent Children’s Services at Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunals.
- To attend mediation meetings prior to appeals going to SENDIST.
- To appear in Court if required to represent Children’s Services where parents may be taking legal action against the Authority including SEND Tribunals.
- To correspond and meet with the Ombudsman, in special education needs cases, where complaints have been made by parents.
- To prepare responses to Members of Parliament, Elected Members of the Council and Solicitors on matters relating to pupils with special educational needs on behalf of the Director of Children and Families Services
- To provide case statements for the Statutory Assessment and Provision Lead on request.
- To collaborate with the FFI Co-ordinator regarding the funding for pupils with statements of special educational needs attending out of district and non-maintained schools.
- 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 Funding for Inclusion and advise schools and parents about the criteria and procedures relating to Funding for Inclusion.
- To provide advice, and prepare reports, for the Director of Children and Families Services and Senior Managers on matters relating to the legal aspects of SEN for specific cases.
- To attend meetings with Area Inclusion Partnerships and other bodies regarding support for pupils with SEN.
- To contribute to in service training programmes with schools, parents and Officers of Children’s Services
- To undertake reviews of processes and contribute to more efficient ways of working in line with the Team Development plan.
- 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.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.
Skills:
- The ability to demonstrate passion and energy whilst managing a number of competing priorities and maintaining effective communication with families.
- Knowledge of the law regarding the Children and Families Act or be able to show that you have the ability to learn the relevant statutory legal framework and relevant policies in the 0-25 SEND area and be able to apply it in practice
- Strong literacy / written communication skills with a good attention to detail,
- Ability to be able to read and assimilate information and to use this information to make decisions in a timely way.
- Manage 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.
- Ability to question and reflect on situations. Critical thinking skills and the ability to interrogate, question and analyse information and advice to support the quality of EHC plans and the implementation of the Children and Families Act
- Manageself and resources – ability to work independently, manage your time effectively and prioritise your work in order to stay on top of your workload. Manage incremental and fundamental change effectively, respond flexibly to new ideas and promote change as a natural process within the Council and the wider social context.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to deliver sensitive messages in a constructive way. Present feedback with sensitivity, honesty and clarity and 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 so that meetings can be held effectively and efficiently.
Knowledge:
- Understanding of the knowledge required to carry out this role or the ability to learn and apply the SEN Code of Practice and the SEN legal framework.
Experience:
- Evidence of relevant experience explained and applied to this post.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
-
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behavioursand codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering theBest City Ambitionof Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Skills:
- Teaching or school or educational setting background and experience.
- Other relevant skills gained from additional experience e.g., in non-educational settings or through qualifications e.g., counselling, conflict resolution.
Knowledge:
- Good understanding of Part 3 of Children and Families Act, the SEN regulations 2014 and the 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, safeguarding
- Knowledge and understanding of the criteria for statutory assessment and Funding For Inclusion.
- An understanding of related Children and Families’ Services policies relating to special educational needs
Experience:
- Previous Casework Officer role or similar and transferrable experience.
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics:
- Evidenced resilience.
