SEN Complex Case Coordinator

Job title:

Annual Review Complex Case Coordinator

Directorate:

Communities

Service:

Education Services

Team:

SEN

Post number:

Salary grade:

J

Work location:

Market Street

Reports to:

SEN Manager

Supervises:

Job Purpose

To support the Annual Review statutory process for children, young people and adults with SEN and disabilities and have an EHC Plan, working in close partnership the SEND Assessment Team, other departments within WBC and, importantly, with families and professionals

Structure Chart

Corporate Director (Communities)

Head of Education Service

Service Manager, SEN & Disabled Children’s Team

SEN Manager Learning Support Service Manager Team Manager

Disabled Children’s Team

EHC Assessment Coordinators / SEN Team

• The focus of this role will be towards those Annual Reviews that have complexities, supporting Annual Review Officers to keep the process going until it is completed.
• Lead the process of amending EHC Plans.
• Participate in annual reviews of EHC Plans as required
• Liaise with parents and the child or young person when required during the amendment process.
• Amend EHCPs so that there is a high quality proposed amended EHC Plan.
• Ensure that EHC Plans are clear, accessible and outcome focused.
• Ensure EHCP’s are amended in a timely manner.
• Supporting Annual Review Officers in their liaison with the family to agree a final version of the EHC Plan and ensure that all parties are clear about their role in implementation.
• Carefully evaluate annual review and flag any concerns to SEND Managers
• Where further discussion about resources is required, refer the case back to the SEND Panel or the relevant agency.
• Have a thorough understanding of and commitment to personalisation and person centred approaches, use these approaches at all times and support other professionals to develop their skills in this area, contributing to training as required.
• Liaise closely with the Annual Review Officer throughout the process.
• Evaluation of the process and advise managers on how the process can be developed and improved.
• Ensure that the child or young person’s welfare remains paramount and that any safeguarding issues are appropriately managed in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children and Local Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures.
• Promote equality as an integral part of the role and to treat everyone with fairness and dignity.
• Recognise health and safety is a responsibility of every employee, to take reasonable care of self and others and to comply with the WBC Health and Safety policy and any service-specific procedures / rules that apply to this role.

Scope (impact on/control of resources, people, money etc)

Impact

The postholder will act as the senior point of contact for Annual Review Officers, ensuring the quality and integrity of EHC Plans. This is a high profile statutory process with specific statutory requirements relating to timescales and the content of Plans. Parents have recourse to the SEND Tribunal, the LGO and judicial review if they are dissatisfied with the EHC Plan, so the Plans need to be expertly drafted, evidence based, and able to withstand scrutiny.

Budget

The postholder will not have direct budget management responsibility but will have a key role in a process which will allocate very significant levels of resource.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential/

Desirable

Education to degree level or equivalent

D

Professional qualification in Education (QTS)

D

Experience

Minimum of 5 years experience in SEN and disability either in Education, Social Care or Health

E

Teaching experience

D

Extensive experience of working with parents and families

E

Extensive experience of multi agency working

E

Knowledge and understanding

Good working knowledge of a range of SEN and disabilities

E

Detailed knowledge of the Children and Families legislation including the SEN Code of Practice

E

Knowledge of other related legislation, including legislation governing Adult Social Care, the Children Act and safeguarding processes

E

Knowledge of the Equality Act particularly in relation to children and young people with disabilities

E

Understanding of and commitment to person centred approaches, personalisation and key working functions

E

Thorough knowledge of the services and agencies which might be involved in EHC assessments and EHC Plan delivery

E

Knowledge of resource allocation processes including the Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool

D

Skills and abilities

Ability to use Outlook, and a web browser to access information

E

Basic ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)

E

High level oral communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations, face-to-face, telephone or large group

E

Excellent written communication skills including ability to draft clear and concise plans

E

Negotiation skills: ability to manage oral and written negotiations sensitively, appropriately and successfully

E

Interpersonal skills: the skills to relate effectively to parents, professionals and colleagues

E

Mediation skills

E

IT skills including ability to use Microsoft Office software

E

Ability to use SEN Module of Capita One system and RAISE system.

D

Work-related personal qualities

Tact and diplomacy; the ability to deal with sensitive and confidential issues that require a variety of approaches

E

Ability to remain effective and professional in challenging and difficult situations

E

Ability to establish good working relationships

E

Analytical thinking and ability to make sound judgements based on appropriate evidence

E

The ability to identify creative, personalised solutions to achieve a young person’s identified outcomes and to influence others to think creatively

E

The ability to set and meet deadlines

E

Ability to work independently and on own initiative, requiring minimal supervision

E

Well organised and methodical

E

Ability to work in a pressurised environment

E

High level of personal resilience

E

Other work-related requirements

Commitment to promoting and implementing equal opportunities

E

Commitment to customer care practices

E

Commitment to person centred approaches, personalisation and key working functions

E

Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the Service

E

Car driver with valid licence

D