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

Job title: SEN Casework Officer

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House/Hybrid

As a SEN Casework Officer, you’ll play a vital role in achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Alongside managing complex casework, you will provide day-to-day oversight and support to colleagues, helping to maintain a high-quality, consistent and legally compliant service.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys taking ownership, showing leadership and influencing practice. You’ll act as a key point of expertise within the team, supporting others to navigate complex cases, modelling strong practice and ensuring children and families receive a responsive, professional service.

You will work in partnership with families, schools and multi-agency professionals to ensure children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right setting - with their voices central to all decision-making.

You’ll be part of our Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment and Provision (SENSAP) service, working together to fulfil our statutory duties and improve outcomes for children and young people across the 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 SEN Casework Officer, you will bring:

Experience of SEND casework or working with children, young people or families in a related field
The confidence and capability to provide guidance, challenge and support to colleagues
Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, SEND legislation and the statutory framework
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret professional reports and make sound decisions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including delivering sensitive messages clearly and constructively
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively
Well-developed mediation, negotiation and interpersonal skills
Resilience, professional curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement
A child-centred, inclusive approach to practice

A relevant professional qualification (e.g. teaching, social work, youth work) or equivalent experience is required.

About the role

This role is integral to our Education, Health and Care (EHC) casework team within the Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment and Provision (SENSAP) service. As a SEN Casework Officer, you will manage a complex caseload of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), leading on EHC needs assessments, plans and reviews to ensure that statutory duties are delivered effectively, consistently and within required timescales.

Working at the heart of the service, you will play a key role in ensuring high-quality, child-centred practice. You will coordinate multi-agency contributions from education, health and care professionals, ensuring a holistic approach to assessment and planning that reflects the individual needs, aspirations and lived experiences of children and young people.

Alongside your casework responsibilities, you will take on an important leadership function within the team. You will provide day-to-day guidance, support and supervision to colleagues, share expertise and model strong practice to ensure consistency and quality across the service. You will also hold line management responsibility for identified staff, supporting their development, performance and delivery of high standards of work.

You will work closely with families, schools and a wide range of partner agencies, building strong relationships to resolve complex issues, negotiate provision and secure appropriate placements. Your role will require confident decision-making, strong communication and the ability to manage sensitive or contentious situations, including mediation, complaints and tribunal processes where required.

As part of a forward-thinking and collaborative service, you will contribute to continuous improvement, helping to develop processes, strengthen practice and ensure that children and young people with SEND are supported to achieve positive outcomes, including improved attendance, attainment and preparation for adulthood.

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 Rhena Khan, SENSAP Lead – rhena.khan@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

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.

Responsibilities

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

Competencies

Core

Working as a Team for Leeds
Being Open, Honest & Trusted
Working with Communities
Treating People Fairly
Spending Money Wisely

Role Specific

Analysing & Conceptualising
Using Information
Communicating
Planning & Prioritising
Taking decisions
Being resilient

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

SPECIAL CONDITIONS This post is subject to a higher level check with the Criminal Records Bureau. In discharging its function under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, the Directorate is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975 ) and any applicant is obliged to disclose ALL convictions and cautions, no matter how long ago they occurred and regardless of whether the offences were committed as an adult or a juvenile.

Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

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
Manage self and resources – ability to work independently, manage your time effectively and prioritise your working 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.

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

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 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 eg in non educational settings or through qualifications eg 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.

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