Senior Education, Health and Care Plan Officer

Job Introduction

At Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, we are on a transformational journey, designed to improve the experience of the children and families we work with. We are investing in our services and people and putting additional resources in place to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children, young people and their families. And we want you to help us make this happen.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) Officer to join us and lead a team of experienced EHCP Officers.

As a Senior EHCP Officer you will be responsible for managing a team of EHCP Officers, supporting them managing caseload of children and young people with Educational Health Care Plans. You will effectively be able to engage with parents, young people and schools, ensuring that they are supported, and that their EHCP journey is underpinned by co-production principles.

To be considered for this opportunity you will have:

• A relevant professional qualification (Teaching, Psychology, Child Care, Social Work) or considerable experience of employment in an educational setting, EHCP Officer role or another role relating to the statutory SEND framework.
• Substantial experience and knowledge working within Special Educational needs that enables you to take accurate, reasoned and justified decisions under pressure in line with the local authority’s legal duties and obligations and in the best interest of the children and young people.
• Substantial experience/Knowledge and understanding of Education, Health and Care plans and writing care plans
• Detailed Knowledge and experience of working to the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice and Statutory SEN processes.
• Strong analytical and evaluative skills required to write EHC Plans.

We are particularly interested to hear from individuals who have experience in the preparation of tribunal casework and presenting at SEND tribunal hearings.

This is an incredibly rewarding role which will test your ability to manage multiple workflows and to prioritise and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders. You will be at the centre of facilitating positive outcomes for a group of highly vulnerable children and young people.

This role offers hybrid working opportunities - currently office based 2/3 days per week.

We also offer:

• Flexible working, including flexi leave up to 24 days per year
• A good CPD offer
• Generous annual leave entitlements with opportunity to buy up to 10 days additional leave per year
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme – a 24 hour independent, free and confidential advice and support service
• Family and carer friendly policies
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee benefits including subsidised travel passes, Cycle 2 Work Scheme and a staff discount card.

For further information or an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact:

Brian Sidwell, Deputy Team Manager on brian.sidwell@solihull.gov.uk

Interviews will be held on 5 and 6 November 2024.

Please note we do not accept CVs.

This is an essential car user post as the demands of the job make it operationally essential and there is a contractual requirement to make a suitable vehicle available to ensure the requirements of the job can be carried out effectively.

Applicants must be able to drive, have a driving licence and be a car owner, however for disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required

This post will require a Disclosure and Barring check for regulated activity with children and adults.

This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and a commitment to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.