Send Business Support Officer

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a SEND Business Support Officer on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position:

The Special Educational Needs Assessment Service are responsible for delivery of high quality casework in line with the statutory requirements in the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Children and Families Act 2014. This includes coordinating multi-agency assessments of education, health and care and ensuring that Education, Health and Care plans are issued within statutory timescales, up to date and reflect the needs for the young person and the provision that they require.

The post holder will organise and coordinate statutory EHC needs assessments and plan (EHCNA and EHCP) processes. The SEND Data, Monitoring and Performance Manager will facilitate the effective and efficient delivery of all statutory processes and monitoring arrangements for pupils with Education, Health and Care plans.

The post holder will be a reference point for all matters relating to the administration, data and monitoring of the Local Authority decision making panel and processes.

To support the quality implementation of the Liquid Logic case management system (EHM/EYES) ensuring that the implemented system reflects the Special Needs Assessment Team's case management and reporting priorities.

As a Business Support Officer,you will be responsible to:

Ensure that requests for Education, Health and Care needs assessments of a child's special educational needs are responded to in an appropriate and efficient manner. This will include organising the agenda for the Local Authority Moderation Panel, taking minutes and communicating decisions to parents and Head teachers. Maintaining an accurate monitoring system in respect of requests for statutory assessments. Ensure that all callers, some of whom may be angry or distressed, receive information in a customer focused and empathetic manner.

Support the SEND Assessment Officer and EHCP Co-Ordinator to facilitate the effective and efficient delivery of the statutory assessment process and monitoring arrangements for pupils with Education Health and Care plans within legal and internal timelines. Identify and address performance issues relating to the EHCNA process to the SEND Data, Monitoring and Performance Manager which arise.

Maintain the Local Authority's information management systems to a high standard, inputting information, initiating standard reports etc. ensuring accuracy and attention to detail and that all relevant service standards are met. Ensure that all necessary records in relation to individual pupils are maintained accurately and are kept up to date and securely filed.

Support the Officers across the service to facilitate the effective delivery of the assessment and monitoring procedures. This will include acting as the first point of contact for all telephone and email communications to the SEND Assessment Service.

Manage and facilitate all administrative functions to support the implementation of the SEND Moderation and Provision Panel.

In conjunction with the Assessment Officer and Data, Monitoring and Performance Manager, ensure that all administrative processes relating to children of statutory school age are completed by 15th February in the year of transfer. In liaison with schools, parents, the Post 16 Transitions Coordinator, maintain an overview of the transition plans for Year 11 leavers, advising the Local Authority Provision Panel as necessary and ensuring all parents receive appropriate notification of their legal rights.

Contribute to the development of policy, procedures and provision for children with SEND, including maintaining an up to date knowledge and changes to national legislation and departmental policies.

In partnership with the Special Needs Assessment Team Service Manager represent the Special Needs Assessment Team in planning and implementation of the Liquid Logical Case Management System and EHCP hub ensuring that the needs of the Service are represented correctly so that the system supports and encourages good practice.

Plan, influence and proactively manage business and practice change to maximise the benefits of the Liquid Logic implementation for the Special Needs Assessment Team to ensure that risks are communicated effectively between the Programme Implementation team and the Special Needs Assessment Service.

Provide practice expertise and proactive management support to embed changes and minimise the disruption to services and enhance team performance.

Skills and Experience:

• Substantial experience in administration processes
• Demonstrable experience of responding in an empathetic way, both orally and in writing, to enquiries from the public
• Able to work on own initiative and organise own workload to meet competing targets and deadlines
• Able to facilitate, arrange and minute meetings with accuracy
• Able to follow procedures and guidelines, assimilate complex information and communicate this to others appropriately
• In depth IT skills - able to produce a wide range of complex documents, forms, able to produce EXCEL spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations
• Able to give examples of what would constitute discrimination in the workplace and to show understanding of the term 'Equal Opportunities'
• Some knowledge of Education Act 1996 and Children and Families Act 2014
• Demonstrable understanding of the Education, Health and Care needs assessment Process
• Educated to A level or equivalent to support good case recording and quality EHC plans
• Word Processing or equivalent qualification or equivalent experience

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Connect2Luton, part of Luton Borough Council & Kent Commercial Services LLP, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.