About The Role
High Needs Funding Support Officer – Post 16
Fixed Term, Full Time
£26,485 to £31,158 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 1st February 2026
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed‑term contract or secondment opportunity until July 2027.
This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but expects the successful candidate to attend the office in Chelmsford 1 day per week, with remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs.
The Role
You will be at the centre of ensuring young people with SEND have access to high‑quality, person‑centred pathways into education, training and employment. This role is about coordination and making things happen – from managing High Needs Funding processes to facilitating the Post‑16 Opportunities Hub. Working closely with providers, families and internal teams, you will keep everything on track, maintain data integrity, and ensure statutory timelines are met. Your ability to connect people, solve problems and keep processing running smoothly will directly influence positive outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood.
The Opportunity
The Post‑16 High Needs Funding Support Officer is a key operational role within the Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) service, ensuring that young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) access high‑quality, person‑centred pathways into post‑16 education, training, independence, and employment.
Accountabilities
* Own the operational delivery and assurance of the Post‑16 High Needs Funding process, applying professional judgement to prioritise and resolve issues, ensuring timely coordination of placements, provider communications, and documentation.
* Lead the facilitation of the Post‑16 Opportunities Hub, driving engagement with internal teams and external partners to secure meaningful education, training, and employment pathways for young people with SEND.
* Function as the primary operational contact for HNF caseflow, liaising with the Lead Officer, Data Officer, and education providers to ensure consistent, accurate information flow and compliance with agreed principles.
* Support the development and maintain operational guidance and communications for stakeholders, including families, ensuring transparency and alignment with statutory requirements.
* Chair or co‑chair operational meetings and reviews, ensuring actions are tracked, risks are escalated, and corrective measures are implemented to maintain statutory timelines.
* Own data integrity for HNF schedules and Opportunities Hub reporting and support the development of Post‑16 dashboards and analysis to inform moderation, budget assurance, and strategic decision‑making.
* Analyse trends and author recommendations for operational improvements, including NEET risk mitigation and banding consistency.
* Promote collaborative working across SEND, YPWD, and education teams, influencing provider practice and supporting joined‑up delivery for young people transitioning to adulthood.
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Educated to Level 4 (or equivalent experience) with strong understanding of the SEND post‑16 system, including High Needs Funding processes and Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, alongside knowledge of education pathways and service coordination.
* Evidence of continuing professional development and ability to apply specialist knowledge to operational decision‑making and compliance assurance.
* Proven experience in coordinating complex caseflow for young people with SEND, including monitoring statutory timelines and initiating corrective actions.
* Strong organisational and analytical skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities, interpret data trends, and utilise operational dashboards and reports.
* Confident communicator and influencer, able to chair operational meetings, provide guidance to providers, and maintain effective relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital tools, with working knowledge of Excel and Power BI basics to support data integrity and reporting.
* Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, driving continuous improvement and delivering measurable operational efficiencies.
Interviews
Interviews will be held on 10th February face‑to‑face at County Hall, Chelmsford.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and is committed to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of this role. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
Notice of Mobility Requirement
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
DBS Update Service
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) if your role requires a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Contact
For queries on this role or any further information, email jamielea.wallis@essex.gov.uk.
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