SEN Case Officer - Full-time

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced SEN Case Officer to join our Special Educational Needs Team. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) by coordinating Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessments and plans for children and young people aged 0-25.

Working closely with families, schools, colleges, health professionals and partner agencies, you will ensure statutory duties are met while delivering a person centred approach that focuses on achieving the best possible outcomes. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about SEND and committed to supporting children, young people and their families through complex and often life changing processes.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

As an SEN Case Officer, you'll play a vital role in ensuring children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities receive the support they need to thrive. You'll coordinate Education, Health and Care assessments and plans, working collaboratively with families and professionals to ensure statutory requirements are met and positive outcomes are achieved.

Day to day, you'll:

• Manage a caseload of children and young people aged 0-25 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Coordinate EHC needs assessments, annual reviews and plan amendments within statutory timescales.
• Draft high quality, outcome focused EHCPs that accurately reflect individual needs and aspirations.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with parents, carers, children and young people throughout the assessment and review process.
• Work closely with education, health and social care professionals to develop effective and holistic support plans.
• Facilitate and contribute to multi agency meetings, reviews and case discussions.
• Support the identification of suitable educational placements and consider home to school transport applications where required.
• Prepare reports and maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities and service requirements.

You'll also represent the SEND service at professional meetings and reviews, support tribunal and panel processes where required, and contribute to the continuous improvement of SEND provision across the service.

About you

We're looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate professional who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You'll be confident managing a varied caseload, building strong stakeholder relationships and working in a fast paced environment where attention to detail and effective prioritisation are essential.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Experience working within SEND, education, health or social care services.
• Experience of working directly with children, young people, parents and families.
• A good understanding of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act and SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience of effective multi agency working and partnership collaboration.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship building skills.
• Excellent written skills with the ability to produce clear, accurate and high quality documentation.
• The ability to analyse complex information and make sound, evidence based decisions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet competing deadlines and statutory timescales.
• Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who can balance professionalism with empathy, working collaboratively with families and partner agencies while always keeping the needs of children and young people at the heart of your decision making.

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team

Work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.

Drive Efficiency

Show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious

Be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading

Maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• On site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.