Description

Our client is looking for an Education Officer to co-ordinate the statutory assessment process for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities and review and monitor pupils’ progress against outcomes.

This roles is to cover a secondment and would be suited to someone with a background in Special Educational Needs and links with Schools.

Temporary post starting ASAP.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• To co-ordinate the statutory assessment process for pupils with SEND for a specific group of schools in the City including managing the EHC planning process from assessment through to placement and review.
• To ensure that all statutory timescales are met in relation to the drawing up of the EHC plan.
• To deputise for the Senior Education Officer, SEND as required.
• To ensure that parents/carers and children and young people are at the centre of all planning and review.
• To ensure that children and young people attend maintained schools in Liverpool wherever possible and that every possible effort is made to support them within the City.
• To liaise closely with partners, in particular Social Care and Health in the drawing up of an EHC plan.
• To ensure that parents/carers are informed about the Personal Budget process.
• To liaise closely with Finance/Business Support/Transport colleagues to ensure they have up to date information on pupil placements and costs.
• To keep up to date with all changes in SEND legislation, policy and guidance.
• To advise parents on all aspects of the EHC assessment process.
• To co-ordinate and process outcomes from annual reviews and ensure that the EHC is kept up to date.
• To monitor placements and allocated places and contribute towards the identification of new and/or expanded provision.
• To ensure that when placing a child, the options appraisal process is rigorously followed and that Value for Money principles are applied.
• To liaise with schools, head teachers, governing bodies and other professionals within Children’s Services and partner agencies on all aspects of the statutory assessment process.
• To collaborate closely with external agencies including the Educational Psychology Service, the Special Educational Needs Integrated Support Service (SENISS), Health Authority, Parent Partnership Service, Social Inclusion and NEYS.
• To attend all relevant panel meetings as requested by the Senior Education Officer.
• To lead or contribute to project management / development within the service.
• To contribute towards the development of policy and procedures in relevant areas of the Service’s work.
• To deal with appeals including SENDIST cases and Ombudsman hearings including any follow-up actions.
• To undertake any other professional duties which fall within the remit of the post as identified by, and agreed with, the Senior Education Officer, SEND.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Recent experience (within the last two years) of working within an educational/Children’s Services environment
• Experience of working as part of a team, or teams, including multi agency teams
• Experience of working with parents and carers
• Working experience and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the Children and Families Act 2014 and all associated legislation including SENDIST regulations
• High level of communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work using own initiative
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Mediation and negotiation skills
• An ability to work under pressure
• High level presentation and interpersonal skills