SEND Assessment Officer

The post is focused on the transport help that's needed by children and young people to get to school and college. The team's primary task is to assess applications for transport support for children with SEND. In addition, we are working on various stimulating projects, including:

Restarting our award-winning Independent Travel Training (ITT) scheme for young people with SEND. After a pause due to the pandemic, we're rebuilding a team of travel buddies to train up to 100 young people with SEND to gain independent travel skills every year.

Working with our partners at West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and neighbouring councils to review school bus subsidies. Through our partnership with WYCA around 15,000 children have the transport arrangements in place to get to school every day.
Working closely with colleagues across Children's Social Work Services to reduce social care demand for school transport. We're continually looking for alternative ways for children to travel without being dependent on the council to transport them.

This isn't about coming from a background in transport or work in the SEND field - you'll quickly learn the essentials on that. All our projects and pieces of work need inventiveness and problem-solving skills; one day you might be working with a film maker on a video about ITT or preparing a public consultation questionnaire, and the next day you could be analysing statutory guidance about a policy issue, meeting with Comm's colleagues to develop a social media campaign or drafting a response to an enquiry from an MP.

As our next SEND Assessment Officer you'll bring experience of working with a variety of people, have good project management abilities, logical reasoning skills, an ability to understand policies and see things from different perspectives. You'll have the confidence to make evidence-based decisions that have a real-world impact, and an ability to manage deadlines.

You'll be brilliantly supported from the outset and increasingly work under your own initiative, alongside colleagues who are full of professional curiosity, who love learning, and really enjoy what they do, whether they're in the office together or working at home.
You'll be able to learn to apply policies and work towards strategic aims. You'll be committed to social justice, politically aware, want Leeds to be a Child Friendly City and share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity.

The role is integral to our Assets and Access Team, which plays a central role making sure all children can access education and learning in 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


Your role will have a primary focus on Children's Transport but Assets and Access managers at every level are keen to support your personal, professional and career development, so you'll have opportunities to develop your interests and support a range of activities in the wider team., 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., 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., 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.
  
  A commitment to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)


• Problem-solving and reasoning skills


• An ability to build relationships with a variety of professionals


• Project management skills


• A great public service ethos, 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. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

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.,
• 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)
  
  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.
  
  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