INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: SEND Assessment Officer

Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House - hybrid working available

As a SEND Assessment Officer, you’ll thrive on making fair, timely and well‑evidenced decisions that help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) access education and learning across Leeds.

It’s not about simply processing applications – it’s about applying judgement, understanding context and working restoratively with families and partners to deliver the right transport outcomes for children and young people.

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 our ambition to be a Child Friendly City.

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 SEND Assessment Officer, you will bring to the role:

Experience of analysing and interpreting complex information to support sound, defensible decisions

Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain decisions clearly and sensitively to families and professionals

The ability to build effective relationships with parents, carers and a wide range of professional partners

Confidence working in a policy‑led environment, including applying guidance and exercising professional judgement

A flexible, organised approach with the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy service

About the role

As our next SEND Assessment Officer, you’ll play a key role in Children’s Transport, helping ensure children and young people with SEND can access education in a way that is inclusive, fair and sustainable. You will assess applications for transport assistance, support the delivery of an effective appeals process and contribute to the ongoing development of services and projects within the wider Assets and Access portfolio.

The role is integral to the Assets and Access Team within Children and Families, working closely with colleagues across education, SEND, social care, health and transport. You’ll also be involved in supporting the Independent Travel Training (ITT) scheme, helping young people develop skills that promote independence and positive life outcomes

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 on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Mary Gillespie or Jacob Clarke – Independent Travel Training Delivery Managers by emailing ITTLeeds@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. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

The Assets and Access Team play a central role ensuring children can access education and learning in inclusive and fit for purpose settings across Leeds; The service leads on a wide portfolio:

Capital Maintenance & Building Compliance – Ensuring Schools are Safe, Warm and Watertight
SEND and Alternative Provision Place Planning – Providing an inclusive and accessible infrastructure for learning across the city
A clear vision of C&F Asset requirements through an Inclusive Asset Strategy
Access to Free, Impartial and Confidential advice for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Access to learning across the city through accessible learning environments and the Children’s Transport offer

Children’s Transport has wide ranging responsibilities around implementing the Children’s Transport policy and related projects, with responsibility for assessing entitlement to school and college transport assistance for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Your primary focus will be around Children’s Transport priorities, with the opportunity to support the wider team’s work in ensuring accessible and inclusive education and learning settings. You will be closely involved in:

Assessing applications for transport assistance and maintaining an effective appeals process
The Independent Travel Training (ITT) scheme, which enables young people with SEND to gain independent travel skills.
Various projects related primarily to Children’s Transport, and the wider Assets and Access portfolio of work where opportunities arise.
Building relationships and working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in the field of education, SEND, social care, health and transport.

Responsibilities

Project management supporting implementation of the Children’s Transport policy and other projects within the Assets & Access team
To co-ordinate joint working within the directorate, across the council and with external partners as appropriate
To be responsible for the management of a variety of projects including effective relationship management with partners, value for money and achievement of quality standards and efficiencies where required.
To contribute to and oversee the development of the annual cycle of applications for transport assistance and to assess applications for assistance
To develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of Children’s Transport and the work of the Assets and Access service.
Assist in leading the preparation of appeal hearings associated with Children’s Transport
To develop and manage project meetings to include key stakeholders in the delivery of a range of activities related to Assets and Access service, primarily Children’s Transport.
To actively facilitate children and young people’s voices in all relevant aspects of the Assets and Access team in keeping with the directorate’s aim to be a Child Friendly City
To adopt a restorative approach in your interactions with colleagues, providers, families and other stakeholders, providing high support and high challenge
To contribute to the preparation and presentation of complex information in a variety of formats to a range of audiences including preparation of reports and briefings to support effective decision making at a strategic and political level within the Council.
To undertake effective evaluation of projects and contracts including data collection; collation and scrutiny of performance management information; report writing; and the implementation of practical outcomes and lessons learned.
To develop a working knowledge of relevant Council, Directorate and Partnership plans and priorities and understand the implications for service areas
To support colleagues in preparing and providing briefings, guidance and support to senior officers, elected members and staff across the council in relation to the work of the Assets and Access service, initially focussing on Children’s Transport
To work on behalf of the team and deputise for managers on specified work areas where required
To support the development of key policy and strategy relating to the Assets and Access Team
To ensure due regard is taken of equality and diversity when designing, delivering or reviewing policies, strategies, services and ensure that any mitigating actions are delivered.
To assist in ensuring compliance with governance, financial and procedural requirements relating to the work of the team.
To provide effective line management and supervision (as required) within the service area
To maximise resources for the city including supporting partnerships and service area bids for resources
To ensure activity takes place within available budgets, efficiency targets are met and services provide value for money.
Using a restorative approach, make a positive contribution to the development of working practices within the Assets and Access service

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. The following responsibilities are generic and are expected of all LCC employees:

Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Ability to recognise the implications of policy changes and assist in formulating appropriate responses
Ability to analyse and interpret complex information in an appeals-based context
Ability to lead, motivate and empower staff to achieve positive outcomes
Excellent communication skills including use of visual aids
Ability to form positive relationships with families and professional partners, establishing and maintaining credibility for the service.
Ability to see problems from different perspectives and devise solutions
Relevant IT skills, knowledge and experience
Ability to produce accurate reports and information
Understanding of the Children’s Transport policy and policy implementation in the context of services for children and young people
Knowledge and understanding of strategic priorities such as Child Friendly Leeds, Restorative Practice and the Children & Young People’s Plan
Understanding of work within appropriate financial procedures
Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in the context of providing services for children and families
Knowledge and understanding of services for Children and Families
Experience of supporting strategies which lead to successful outcomes for people
Experience of project work using project management methods
Experience of working in a policy-led context
Experience of exercising judgement under own initiative with minimal supervision
Experience of managing competing priorities and adapting to changing circumstances
Experience of health & safety and risk management and safeguarding practices (including CSE)

Essential Behavioural and 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 commit to 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 and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies 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 It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. It is desirable that the candidate has:

A degree level qualification.
A qualification relevant to working with children and families in the education, health or social care sector.

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