Casework Officer Post 16 - Req24923

Job title:          SEN Post 16Casework Officer

Salary:             £35,745 to £38,223 (pro rata for part time roles)

Hours:              Various

Contract:         Permanent

As a SEN Post 16Casework Officer you’ll thrive on unlocking young people’s talent and potential by enabling their full participation in education, whatever challenges they face.

It’s not all about plans and processes, you bring creativity and passion to your work with young people and their families. You involve them in conversations and decisions and work productively with school leaders and other partners who share your ambition for all young people to live and learn to their full ability.

You’ll be a key team member within our Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment and Provision (SENSAP) service. Our overarching goal in SENSAP is to enable children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to access education with all the support they need to fulfil their potential.

We are recruiting to 2 full-time roles and 2 part-time roles (15 or 22.5 hours per week). In addition we have vacancies for:

• SEN Casework Officer (closing 5 July)
• SEN Casework Support Officer (2 full-time roles and 1 part-time role, closing 5 July)

Leeds children’s services are rated outstanding by Ofsted. We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds and want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a SEN Post 16Casework Officer, you will bring to the role:

• a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification, such as social work, youth work or teaching, or a proven track record in a similar role
• ability to analyse, interpret and clearly summarise professional reports from various sources
• reflective and restorative approach to continually improve practice and build positive relationships
• skills in mediation, negotiation and communication with the ability to handle conflict and deliver sensitive messages constructively
• good judgement about SEND and the appropriate provision for young people, with awareness of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and knowledge of careers guidance work
• You will regularly have to travel around the city on school and home visits.

About the role 

The role is integral to our Education, Health and Care (EHC) casework team. We work closely with the wider SENSAP service to ensure young people with SEND can achieve their life aspirations.

In SENSAP we take a forward-thinking, innovative approach to our statutory duty, which is to delegate high needs funding, support inclusive SEND practice in education settings and manage education, health and care assessments and plans. We fully engage children, young people and families in key decision making to help them understand their options and we work together to find the educational placement that best meets an individual’s needs.

As a SEN Post 16Casework Officer you will work closely with young people and families, other practitioners and agencies to gather the insight you need to conduct an EHC assessment and, if appropriate, write an EHC plan. You will identify clear objectives and hold annual reviews to support each young person to make progress and prepare for adulthood.

The EHC team oversee provision and admissions for children and young people who have an EHC plan, at all levels from nursery to school and post-16, in both mainstream and specialist settings.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Rhena Khan, Deputy SENSAP Lead. Call 0113 376 0062 or email rhena.khan@leeds.gov.uk.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Leeds City Council Job Profile

Job Purpose this post involves the management of Special Educational Needs’ (SEN) casework and the effective administration of the procedures relating to the assessment, (including statutory assessment), of children with special educational needs currently determined by the Children and Families Act 2014 and where still relevant Part 4 and relevant sections of the Education Act 1996.  To be part of the team that has implemented the SEND reforms and the Education, Health and Social Care Bill. 

Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with the rest of the service and other partners to monitor the provision and outcomes for children with SEN. 
• Work directly with School Leaders/Post 16 Leaders, children, young people and families to ensure issues relating to SEN/LDD are met.   
• Ensure statutory targets and local authority performance indicators are met.   
• Work within a cross service setting and within a multi-agency context.
• Focus on children and young people’s outcomes, and enabling children and families in Leeds,
• Be the named officer for a caseload of young people in the city with complex needs at the heart of all that we do.
• Provide a joined up approach to working with other services to ensure that children and young people have a holistic assessment and that families experience a coordinated assessment process.  To work to ensure that children and young people with complex needs have a voice and are enabled to influence their learning outcomes. 
• Work with parents and young people 16-25 in Post 16 settings and those in other circumstances to support and to advise them as they undergo a statutory assessment or related assessment process in order that they fully understand their rights and are empowered to express their views regarding the education of their children / young people.
• Oversee and implement the administration of the statutory assessment procedures of the Children and Families Act 2014 Part 3 including Referral, Assessment, Statement and Annual Review and advise and respond appropriately on behalf of the Local Authority to its legal statutory implications.
• Liaise, advise and maintain close contact with those professionals involved in the EHC needs assessment (Schools/Colleges, Educational Psychologists, Health Authorities, Social Care etc.) and to advise them on the progress of individual children / young people.
• Prepare proposed Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC plan) for circulation following the completion of the assessment process. 
• Support and advise families and young people with the implementation of a personal budget with an EHC plan where this is appropriate. To issue a Final EHC plan following appropriate discussions. 
• Monitor children / young people’s progress through annual reviews and to respond to reviews in line with the legal time frame.
• Organise, chair and review progress of children / young people with EHC plans where they are not in an educational setting and/or in other circumstances.
• Represent Children’s Services in the statutory annual review process as and when required.
• Organise, chair and attend meetings with parents and schools/colleges including multi agency professionals to discuss specific issues associated with provision for individual young people with special educational needs. 
• Act as an expert on Preparation for Adulthood and Post 16 issues in the multi-agency panel (MAP).
• Home visit and support young people who are out of education / NEET, access the appropriate services to support them to re-engage at an appropriate time, providing IAG where necessary, in the absence of such services. 
• Complete annual reviews for those not in education/ moving educational settings/ unable to access education due to illness etc. to ensure that statutory duties are met and that young people are working towards PFA outcomes.
• Ensure that following reviews the EHCP paperwork reflects the young person as an adult and that they have the appropriate support in place and documented to help to prepare them for adulthood
• Advise and assist young people and their parents on the appropriate educational provision and placement following statutory assessment, annual review, or for pupils moving into the Authority, to respond and negotiate placements, funding, provision, outside agency support and legal matters relating to their  special educational needs and rights. 
• Provide advice and information to Casework Officers (Schools Team) when they are considering placement of complex young people who are in school settings during Post 16/19 phase transfer to ensure that they are placed appropriately
• Attend annual reviews and meetings where Post 16 settings and parents/young people request to advise on complex SEN issues, chairing meetings where required.
• Implement Childrens Services Transport Policy in relation to transport for children and young people with SEN and medical needs.
• Provide training and present information Post 16 settings other relevant forums where required. 
• Advise Post 16 settings and professionals e.g. Social Care/ Health of their duties and responsibilities in respect of the EHCP statutory assessment on behalf of Childrens 
• Work with and supporting out of area colleges and Post 16 settings to ensure that they are able to deliver their duties via training and signposting to relevant Leeds services for young people e.g. Adult social care referrals
• Advise Post 16 settings, young people, parents and Children’s Services regarding out of authority placements and to prepare business cases where appropriate for out of area placements.
• Prepare cases for fortnightly case review panel. 
• Provide general advice to young people, parents and colleges on Children’s Services policies and statutory Guidance on exclusions, admissions and attendance issues.
• Provide case statements for the Statutory Assessment and Provision Lead on request.
• Provide written case statements for Local Government Ombudsman when required and prepare responses to complaints where appropriate.
• Manage complaints including supporting the preparation of press releases.
• Chair and organise conciliation meetings where parents are in disagreement with Childrens Services in order to prevent appeals to SENDIST
• Aware of new providers and informing them of their duties in relation to the statutory process
• Work with other professionals where there are no suitable Post 16 providers, to create bespoke programmes of education for individual young people who are in exceptional circumstances and are otherwise unable to access learning
• Work with a team of professionals to support the safeguarding of vulnerable young adults.
• Collate information regarding Post 16 destinations in order to purchase the appropriate number of places at the current Post 16 provider.
• Work with providers for early identification of learners whose education needs cannot be met in the city.
• Work with out of authority independent colleges to monitor their provision for individual young people by attending the annual review and relevant meetings.
• Liaise with social care colleagues in regard to the above provisions and their continued relevance to the educational progress of young people.  Considering possible moves by the young person to Adult Social Care.
• Collaborate with the FFI Co-ordinator regarding the funding learners with EHCPs attending out of district and independent, specialist colleges 
• Contribute to maintaining the efficient use of Children’s Services resources for children and young people with special educational needs.
• Assist in the administration of Children’s Services Funding for inclusion and advice Post 16 settings, professionals, young people and parents about the criteria and procedures relating to Funding for Inclusion
• Support the SEN Casework Team Leader (Post 16 – City Wide) to prepare cases in representing Children’s Services where parents may be taking legal action against the Authority.
• Contribute to in service training programmes with Post 16 settings
• Deliver training to other professionals to increase their understanding of the statutory assessment process e.g. YOS/ Social Care etc.
• Work with other professionals to develop ways of gathering information for the statutory assessment process and for updating information on young people e.g. from annual reviews
• Prepare information for reports in relation to Post 16 planning and caseloads e.g. around ceasing plans/ intended destinations
• Identify and network with other professionals who support young people and facilitating joint responses via meetings etc. e.g. YOS/ YOI/ Social Care/ FIS to support young people with SEN
• Undertake Performance Development Reviews.
• Maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within Childrens Services, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications: The post holder should have a relevant degree and/or equivalent professional qualification such as social work, youth work, education welfare or teaching/careers or a proven track record in a similar post.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to analyse and interpret multi-agency professional reports, to make judgements about children’s special educational needs and the provision required to meet those needs. Summarise reports in a logical clear and concise way.
• Able to work independently and manage time effectively; manage incremental and fundamental change effectively. Respond flexibly to new ideas and promote change as a natural process within the Company and the wider social context. 
• Able to work restoratively and to use reflective learning as a means to continually improve practice and knowledge.
• Able to Deliver sensitive messages in a constructive way. Present feedback with sensitivity, honesty and clarity. Deal effectively with conflict.
• Able to maintain the highest levels of mediation, negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills ensuring professional standards in managing and responding to complex issues are maintained.
• Able to use ICT and technology effectively 
• Able to travel across the city to different schools and parents’ homes on a daily basis.
• Basic understanding of the SEN Codes of Practice 
• Up to date knowledge of Preparing for Adulthood agenda and careers education
• Experience of relevant skills gained from additional experience e.g. in non-educational settings or through qualifications e.g. counselling, conflict resolution.
• Experience of Information, Advice and Guidance skills.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Excellent knowledge of the legislation applying to special educational needs. In particular, the Education Act 1996; the SEN & Disability Act 2001 and the subsequent Codes of Practice attributed to these Acts.
• Good understanding of Part 3 of Children and Families Bill and SEN code of practice 2014
• Working knowledge of other wider legislation relating to education of children with special educational needs e.g. exclusions, attendance and admissions
• Knowledge and understanding of the criteria for statutory assessment and Funding for Inclusion/Additional Learning Support
• Understanding of related Children’s Services policies relating to special educational needs
• Experience of relevant skills gained from additional experience e.g. in non-educational settings or through qualifications e.g. counselling, conflict resolution.

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