SEN Data & Systems Officer - REQ004664

Job title: SEN Data & Systems Officer

Salary: SO1 £34,434 - £36,363

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House & Hybrid

As a SEN Data and Systems Officer, you will support the fulfilment of the Local Authority’s (LA) responsibilities in relation to Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessments, plans and reviews. Specifically in relation to those children and young people who are educated outside of Leeds LA or attend independent settings situated in Leeds.

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 Data and Systems Officer, you will bring to the role:

Ability to analyse and collate data for the provision of accurate management information and production of reports.
Ability to monitor complex and multifaceted financial information relating to children in vulnerable circumstances
Identify problems and areas for improvement and offer solutions.

About the role

The SEND Funding team is responsible for allocation of funding for individual children and young people who have learning difficulties and disabilities. The role supports the purchase requisition and invoicing process for settings/schools situated both in the Leeds area and outside of Leeds LA.

Key responsibilities include:

Maintaining accurate data systems in accordance with local policy, and in liaison with key partners across the council.
Oversight and maintain finance protocols within the team to ensure compliance with relevant due diligence and in keeping with local policy.
You will be a keen advocate for spending money wisely and ensuring that colleagues and partners are aware of their roles and responsibilities in relation to the areas of your work.
Responsibility for the service response around FOIs and SAR requests, coordinating with relevant officers where required.
Liaison with key stakeholders in relation to the provision of key information and data on specific individuals and cohorts of children and young people.
Work in conjunction with Senior Managers to develop new policies and methods of working in response to changes in legislation and best practice. Comply with Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Quality Assurance procedures.
Shared responsibility for the coordination of data and information for key national statutory returns.
Day to day responsibility for ensuring timely delivery of the service and relevant budgets.

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 Emma Charlton, SEND Funding Team Lead. Call 0113 3786894 or email emma.charlton@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable may 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 visa route 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: To provide efficient and effective delivery of the processes and procedures related to the assessment and provision of SEND Funding the mechanism by which Leeds City Council provides schools and settings with financial assistance to enable the inclusion of children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Supporting the work of the SENSAP Service in terms of the functions of financial management, monitoring and quality assuring the impact of provision put in place by schools and settings for children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities in terms of the outcomes they achieve in the context of their holistic well-being.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility for the service response around FOIs and SAR requests, coordinating with relevant officers where required.
Monitoring of complex and multifaceted financial information relating to children in vulnerable circumstances
Liaison with key stakeholders in relation to the provision of key information and data on specific individuals and cohorts of children and young people.
Work in conjunction with Senior Managers to develop new policies and methods of working in response to changes in legislation and best practice. Comply with Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Quality Assurance procedures.
Shared responsibility for the coordination of data and information for key national statutory returns.
Day to day responsibility for ensuring timely delivery of the service and relevant budgets.
Analyse and collate data for the provision of accurate management information and production of reports.
Identify problems and areas for improvement and offer solutions.
Actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
A commitment to personal development and to keep informed of legislative policy changes.
Work flexibly and move within service areas – working at different locations depending on service demand
Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety Policies.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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.

To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Head of SENSAP & SEND Funding.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

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

Qualifications: The post holder should have a relevant Level 4 equivalent professional qualification, 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.

Business and IT Competence: Ability to use ICT and technology effectively, and in compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and financial regulations.
Data Handling and Reporting: Experience of using IT applications and systems to produce, record and evaluate information.

Working with high levels of accuracy with a good attention to detail.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills with a wide range of people including face-to-face, telephone and written communication skills – including the processes for dealing with and sharing confidential and complex information.

Experience and understanding of the importance of providing excellent customer services and experience of dealing positively with challenging situations.

Organisation and Time Management: Ability to work on your own, manage your own workload and use your initiative to adhere to time scales and deadlines.
Teamwork and Flexibility: Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to its development with suggestions for new ways of working.

Ability to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.

SEND Knowledge: Knowledge and experience of adhering to procedures and legislation relating to confidential information and financial regulations.
Monitoring and Accountability Support: Ability to assist in the development of SEND monitoring frameworks and update systems accordingly in line with internal policy and procedure and GDPR.
Compliance: Evidence of a commitment to continuous personal professional development. Must satisfy conditions of service including DBS check and police clearance.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & 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
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.

Knowledge of the legislation applying to SEND.
Knowledge and understanding of the Leeds SEND systems, processes and protocols.
Relevant experience in a similar post.
Relevant experience in an educational establishment (school, alternative provision, training provider, etc.)
Relevant experience in non-educational settings or through qualifications.

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