Senior EHC Casework Officer
We have an exciting opportunity for Senior EHC Casework Officers to join our EHC Casework Teams. This is a challenging and rewarding role for individuals who are dynamic, creative, and outcomes-focused, and who are committed to improving the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Kent.
Role Responsibility
The Local Authority has clear statutory responsibilities for children and young people aged 0-25 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Our EHC Casework Teams are committed to improving the quality, consistency, and timeliness of the Annual Review process, ensuring that children and young people receive the right support at the right time.
You will play a key role in delivering the Local Authority's statutory functions by overseeing the Annual Review process and managing the day-to-day activities associated with securing appropriate provision for children and young people with EHCPs within a defined geographical area.
As a Senior EHC Casework Officer, you will oversee complex cases, ensuring statutory timescales are met and, where required, coordinating the issue of amendment notices, final amended EHCPs, or the cessation of plans. Working closely with colleagues, you will determine whether an EHCP should be amended, maintained, or ceased, and will collaborate effectively with wider professional agencies, children and young people, and their parents and carers. You will ensure families are fully involved, kept informed throughout the process, and that all decisions remain firmly child‑centred.
You will manage a smaller but more complex caseload, undertaking statutory processes in a professional and timely manner. This will include cases involving Looked After Children (LAC), Elective Home Education (EHE), children and young people at risk of placement breakdown, and those who move in and out of the county frequently. Highly complex cases should be discussed with, or escalated to, the EHC Casework Team Manager as appropriate.
This is a busy and demanding role; however, you will be supported by an established, experienced, and collaborative senior leadership team. There will be opportunities to further develop your skills, and Kent County Council is committed to continuous professional development within the service.
To be considered for this role, you will need a strong understanding of SEN legislation, in particular the SEN Code of Practice (2014), the Children and Families Act (2014), and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), and an ability to apply this knowledge within the context of Kent.
You will have excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills and demonstrate a resilient and tenacious approach to managing challenging situations. You will also have a sound knowledge of IT systems, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a strong commitment to maintaining high levels of accuracy and confidentiality. Confidence in data processing, data integration, and data analysis is essential.
If you are a positive individual with a "can‑do" approach, capable of working under pressure while delivering a client‑focused service that exceeds expectations, we would welcome your application.
This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
This role is considered customer‑facing, and under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016), Kent County Council has a statutory duty to ensure that post holders have a sufficient command of spoken English or Welsh to carry out their duties effectively. The required standards are outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification.
Location
The successful candidate will be required to work in the office at least two days per week, with flexible home‑working arrangements for the remaining time. The role will also involve attending meetings at educational settings, partner organisations, and Local Authority premises across Kent.
Start Date
June 2026
Contact Details
For more information about the role, please contact Maria Halford, EHC Casework Manager – maria.halford@kent.gov.uk or 03000 418624.
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