SEND Officer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced SEND Officer to join our SEND Team). The SENDTeam is responsible for ensuring that the LA’s statutory duties towards individual children and young people with SEND are met.

In this role, you will have responsibility for the delivery of Statutory processes including Education, Health and Care needs assessments, writing Education, Health and Care Plans, attendance and processing annual reviews, provide guidance to educational settings and CYP and their families around funding processes, some tribunals and all other activities associated with SEND legislation (Children and Families Act and Code of Practice), responsible for casework management decisions and recommendations to SEND panel. Deliver the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice, as part of the collaborative Education Partnership’s Service. Responsible for liaising with caseworkers around the assessment process.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess the needs and provisions of children and young people and develop a framework for Education Health Care Plans to meet their needs, managing a complex caseload of service user.
• To be the named officer for an allocated area or designated caseload (including out of authority schools) providing a professional, effective, responsive and supportive service to children/young people, parents, schools, early years settings, FE providers.
• Be involved in direct service delivery including more complex cases and the development of service improvements within an integrated service plan.
• Provide support and advice to identified groups or individuals as detailed within the Education Health Care plans and implement or commission planned interventions to address identified need within evaluated professional standards.
• Take a role in developing a range of specific services related to SEND legislation with clearly identified outcomes associated with an overall service plan.
• To support the tribunal and top up funding processes as directed.
• To liaise collaboratively with SEND officers and caseworkers to improve service standards and achieve service delivery.
• Work in partnership with service users and other agencies to develop and implement multi agency services and initiatives. Establish & maintain appropriate links between service users and other professionals to encourage a clear understanding of each other’s priorities and ways of working.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work‑life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in‑office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about SEND and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria

• Vocational qualification or experience to Degree Level or above, relevant to the service user group or equivalent experience to give the same level of knowledge necessary to undertake the role.
• Approved professional qualification relevant to the area of work and practical experience of working with service user groups giving rise to a variety of technical skills and thorough understanding of the principles of the services available, legal responsibilities, work practices and processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience of supervising others’ work.
• Ability to analyse areas of work and make decisions to improve them.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding protocols and the threshold levels for service users’ groups. Ability to investigate and follow up on potential issues.
• Ability to engage with service users and partner agencies within the relevant codes of practice values (dignity, respect etc).
• Ability to manage/organise own work and that of others to meet agreed deadlines.
• Understanding and recognition of professional & personal boundaries.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and availability of their own car for work use or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in‑house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

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