SEN Assessment & Review Officer

· To work directly with senior staff at a designated number of schools, ensuring that the LA meets all legal requirements regarding the Children and Families Act 2014.

· To implement and co-ordinate the needs assessment and review process in compliance with the requirements of the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEN Code of Practice 2015.

· To directly challenge and support schools, professionals and families in relation to the Children and Families Act 2014 to prevent/reduce legal challenge against the LA.

· To manage a complex caseload and casework to ensure that the LA is able to respond to SEND children and young people's needs as they change.

· To assess individual children and young and develop EHC Plans that are aspirational, holistic, outcome focussed and compliant with the Code of Practice 2015.

· To directly manage the case co-ordinator, allocating, monitoring and overseeing their work on a daily basis

Key Duties/Accountabilities

· To work with parents, carers, children and young people to ensure that the needs assessment process is undertaken in a manner that is clear, accessible and collaborative.

· To work in partnership with schools, providing advice, direction and challenge in respect of the needs assessment and review process.

· To write EHC plans in co-production with parents and children/ young people, ensuring the range of relevant reports from professionals is considered and reflected in the plan and that it is fully compliant with the Code of Practice, minimising the risk of legal challenge to the LA.

· To support parents, children and young people to develop aspirations and aspirational outcomes that informs plans.

· To be responsible for negotiating with schools regarding the placement of pupils with EHC Plans.

· To directly manage potentially contentious and sensitive situations with a range of partners to minimise the risk of challenge to the LA

· To ensure the timely involvement of the Advice, Information and Guidance Service (Prospects) regarding placements for young people over the age of 16.

· To lead work with Health providers , social care - children's and Adults and other professionals involved in the needs assessment process in order to co-ordinate their professional contributions and development of outcomes for plans, · Working arrangements are in office whilst completing training then hybrid working arrangements (3 days in office, 2 days at home).

· Experience of SEND processes within a local authority is essential.

· Experience of drafting EHC Plans or statements of special educational needs is essential.

· Experience of working directly with educational establishments such as nurseries, schools or colleges is essential.

· Experience with the Education Act 1996, the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEN Code of Practice 2015 is essential.

Essential Qualification Required:

· Good general standard of education equivalent to 'A' level including GCSE English is essential.