The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is £53,713 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
We're excited to be recruiting a compassionate and knowledgeable Education, Health & Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA) Team Lead to join our fantastic SEND service based at Victoria Gate in Woking.
This role is open to hybrid working. As a team we split our time between collaborating together in the office for a minimum of two days per week, and working from home. We also aim to visits to schools and settings on a regular basis, as we continue to build upon our collaborative working with schools.
Rewards and Benefits
26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
2 paid volunteering days per year
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resourcesAbout the Role
At Surrey County Council, we are committed to ensuring that all children and young people with SEND receive an outstanding service, and we are well on our journey towards offering this. Our SEND and Inclusion Services work collaboratively in affecting timely and purposeful casework; ensuring the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Relational and restorative working underpin all our practice with stakeholders, partners, clients and customers.
Day to day, the EHCNA Team Lead has overall responsibility for managing the newly established countywide Education Health & Care Needs Assessment team and for ensuring that timely and high-quality SEND casework is consistently delivered. You will lead on the identification and assessment of need, focussing on the 20-week statutory assessment process. You will ensure that your team can consistently deliver high quality and legally compliant Education, Health & Care Plans.
You will build professional and productive relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, such as school leaders and families, and have the resilience to work positively, in solution-focused way, with families who may be experiencing anxiety or frustration about their children's circumstances. You will model these behaviours to your team, maintaining high standards of customer care as you advise on a range of complex SEND casework.
As our EHCNA Team Lead you will be involved in the following key areas of responsibility:
Statutory aspects of Education, Health & Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) and Plans (EHCPs), EHCP writing and securing special educational provision and placements
Promoting and ensuring the team's proactive communications with customers
Direct line management of EHCNA Managers
Providing advice and unblocking complex casework through solution-focused approaches
Attending multi-disciplinary discussion meetings and contributing to statutory decision making
Monitoring and managing budgets in accordance with financial procedures
Ensuring that the team learns from complaints
Using performance data to report progress, forecast demand and drive forward improvementsOur young people want adults who listen, explain things honestly, and keep them at the centre of every decision. Parents and carers value empathy, strong organisational skills, and a deep understanding of SEND legislation and diverse needs. Schools need consistent, accessible professionals who are experts in SEND and can guide them through the system with clarity and confidence.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:
A professional qualification and relevant registration with post qualification practical experience, or substantial relevant and practical experience in administering the statutory SEND framework or closely related work
Deep understanding of relevant legislation and practice standards
Ability to apply critical analysis and exercise evaluative judgement appropriately
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with good negotiation and influencing skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively
High-level problem-solving skills with the capacity to devise and implement innovative solutions
Demonstrable experience in successful recruitment, management, and development of staff
Competence in a range of IT tools including MS Office and database management systemsThe role involves working in, and visiting, venues across the locality to build professional working relationships, therefore you will need to be willing and able to travel across the county as required.
This is a challenging role but, by working collaboration your impact will help us to achieve the best outcomes for the children and young people we support. If you're committed to collaboration, advocacy, and making things happen, we'd love to hear from you!
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 29th October with interviews to follow.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs