We are seeking a dedicated and experienced SEND Officer to join our SEND Team. The SEND Team 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. 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 decision 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. Contact Information For further information about the role, please contact Mandy Plumridge, SEND Manager mandy.plumrdge@n-somerset.gov.uk Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .