Hampshire County Council are recruiting for Caseworkers.
£307 a day (umbrella)
Fully remote
Purpose of the Role
The EHCCo is responsible for coordinating the statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process for children and young people aged 0-25, ensuring that Hampshire County Council meets its legal duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
The role focuses on timely, lawful and person‑centred casework, working in partnership with families, education settings and multi‑agency professionals.
What Hampshire County Council Expects of Agency EHCCos
Statutory Accountability
Agency EHCCos are expected to:
* Have strong working knowledge of SEND legislation and the Code of Practice.
* Treat statutory deadlines as non‑negotiable, particularly:
o 20‑week assessment timelines
o Annual review deadlines
o Tribunal directions and orders
* Escalate risks early, not at the point of deadline breach.
* Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records on Hampshire systems at all times.
* Meeting timescales is a core expectation, not an optional objective.
Quality of EHCPs
Hampshire expects agency EHCCos to produce EHCPs that are:
* Lawful and compliant with the SEND Code of Practice
* Clear, specific and outcome‑focused
* Defensible under scrutiny (complaints, mediation or tribunal)
Drafting must demonstrate:
* Clear distinction between needs, provision and outcomes
* Proportionate provision linked directly to assessed need
* Professional judgement grounded in evidence
Professional Judgement & Escalation
Agency EHCCos are expected to:
* Use professional judgement within their role scope.
* Escalate promptly where:
o A case is complex, high‑risk or contentious
o There is disagreement between agencies
o Legal, funding or placement matters exceed EHCCo authority
* Follow local escalation routes via the SNO or ATM and record decisions clearly. Delaying escalation is viewed as a service risk.
Communication Standards
Hampshire expects communication that is:
* Consistent, proportionate and professional
* Clear about the Local Authority's role and legal duties
* Accurate and aligned with Hampshire policy and process
Agency EHCCos must:
* Act as the main point of contact for their allocated cases.
* Communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally, including in difficult or high‑conflict situations.
* Manage correspondence in line with Hampshire County Council expectations, including boundaries around unreasonable contact where applicable.
Partnership Working
Agency EHCCos are expected to:
* Work constructively with:
o Parents and carers
o Children and young people
o Schools, colleges and SENCOs
o Health and Social Care partners
* Be supportive but professionally challenging where appropriate.
* Model a solution‑focused, child‑centred approach whilst maintaining legal clarity.
Caseload Management
Given the size (typically 250+) and complexity of EHCCo caseloads, Hampshire expects agency EHCCos to:
* Organise work around statutory priority rather than volume alone.
* Use tracking, diarising and task management tools consistently.
* Work under the supervision of a Special Needs Officer and attend supervision and casework oversight as required.
* Raise workload concerns early and constructively. Sustained inability to manage statutory workload will be reviewed.
Professional Conduct & Accountability
Agency EHCCos are expected to:
* Work in line with Hampshire County Council values and policies
* Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards
* Act professionally in meetings, written communication and decision‑making
* Accept feedback and direction from Hampshire managers. Agency status does not alter expectations of conduct, quality or accountability.
Boundaries of the Role
Agency EHCCos must not:
* Make unilateral funding or placement decisions outside agreed processes
* Provide legal advice to families
* Commit the Local Authority to outcomes without authorisation
* Operate independently of Hampshire governance and escalation structures
Equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
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