SEN Co ordinator

Location - Kensignton

Day Rate - £215.13

Full Time - Interim Position

Reference - 7861096

Background

The role of the Bi-borough SEN Coordinator as a temporary member of staff will be a hybrid role, in that our core structure is made up of pairings with a shared caseload, that undertake different responsibilities. This job may include undertaking the responsibilities for either role as we use temporary staff flexibly to ensure that gaps in the service are filled. 

Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea have a shared SEN service where all officers cover a caseload for residents and schools across both areas.

The purpose of the role is to provide comprehensive casework management and administrative support to ensure the effectiveness of the SEN Service for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster in accordance with the requirements of the Children’s & Families Act 2014 and the SEN Code of Practice 2015.

The SEN Service needs to manage crucial interfaces with support services, including Children’s Social Care and Health, as well as maintaining excellent multi agency working relationships. Therefore, service management is expected to operate in a positive, collegiate and respectful manner to ensure borough-wide service effectiveness across our services and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• To undertake the statutory assessment process of an EHC needs assessment and the issuing of EHC Plans within twenty weeks as per the statutory deadlines, which is in accordance with The Children and Families Act 2014 and SEN Code of Practice January 2015 and relevant caselaw.
• Manage and process, under the direction of the responsible SEN Team Manager and Senior EHC Coordinator for statutory and non-statutory casework within legal and internal timelines for an allocated caseload, including complex cases and those involving appeal hearings and other legal proceedings.
• To be a champion for the use of technology (such as the case management system) to record, track and monitor our ways of working to both manage performance and inform business intelligence.
• Ensure that systems are clearly and consistently updated with all relevant information in a timely manner.
• Ensure that client confidentiality is maintained in line with the Council’s policies.
• Monitor and review all cases on a daily basis to ensure that statutory timescales are being met, following up with relevant professionals as to any outstanding advices and to alert and update the SEN Team Manager and/or EHC Assessment and Review Coordinator as to caseload for the team
• Provide support on casework issues involving written and oral communication with parents and a range of professionals, including: school staff, Educational Psychologists, Medical Officers, Social Workers and LA Officers.
• Ensure that all staff who may be involved in a particular case are kept informed of any developments so that appropriate liaison/joint action may occur.
• To work in conjunction with the SEN Team Manager for compliance with statutory deadlines for a smooth transfer of pupils with EHCPs from primary school to secondary school, infant to junior school and those transferring to Post 16 educational provision.
• Liaise with other authorities on a range of issues including placement of Children Looked After, children and young people moving in or out of the Boroughs with Education, Health and Care Plan.  To log and respond to queries for placement in Bi-Borough Mainstream and Special School from other Authorities.
• To be responsible for monitoring Annual Review procedures to ensure that each pupil's EHCP is reviewed annually.
• To provide effective and efficient commissioning of suitable educational provision and school placement for children and young people with an EHCP, with a focus on accountability for outcomes.
• Ensure that EHC Plans are person centred and outcome focused and based on the evidence from the child or young person, their families, schools and other educational settings, educational psychologists, medical officers including therapists, social workers and any other professionals working with the child or young person.
• Ensure that draft EHC Plans are high quality and are taken through appropriate decision making processes to agree the allocation of resources in accordance with guidelines including a personal budget, where appropriate
• Act as first point of contact for a wide range of written and oral queries from internal and external customers in relation to all SEN matters.
• To be responsible for informing the Finance department when EHCPs are finalised or ceased or when there is a change in funding so that funds can be released into or withdrawn from the appropriate school budget.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge relating to SEN casework, including changes to national legislation and departmental policies
• Support colleagues by contributing to the development of an efficient and effective team.
• Act responsibly in order to build mutual confidence and respect and foster effective relationships with all.
• To attend and contribute to working parties to review, develop and improve procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

• GCSEs or relevant experience.
• Professional relevant qualifications.
• Extensive knowledge of SEN casework and legislation.

If you are interested in this role, please call 020 3641 9193 for further details or email your CV to apply@instajobsuk.com