Job Description

Job Purpose:

To work collaboratively with families, schools and other key partners agencies for individual children and young people with SEND to ensure children and young people are educated and are in receipt of appropriate provision that is inline with their holistic needs. The SEN Case Officer will work closely with and facilitate engagement with educational settings and relevant practitioners to support, advise and monitor the local offer and to work with schools on individual cases as needed. The SEN Case Officer will be part of a graduated response and continum of need and should work with a team around the child approach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities and risks associated with the service and escalate / report to management.
• Assess and manage risk associated with assigned cases/service delivery.
• Contribute to the regular monitoring and review of services established to facilitate service improvement.
• Provide specialist/professional advice and recommendations within defined policy and procedures to support informed decision making.
• Undertake care planning and manage complex cases and / or take a lead on development and project work, assisting in development and improvement of services and practice in own area.
• Liaise, communicate and build relationships with other internal departments, partner organisations, agencies and/or contractors on operational issues to share knowledge or best practice and deliver service in partnership.

Education, Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Personal Characteristics:

• Advanced vocational qualification at level 4 or considerable on the job experience.
• For some roles a relevant degree may be required.
• Practical knowledge of relevant legislation, processes and procedures and issues relating to the service user group with ability to apply this in challenging situations.
• Working knowledge of practice standards where appropriate.
• Able to assess, plan and review cases; undertake challenging casework, where appropriate shadowing more experienced social workers/practitioners.
• Numerate and able to advise on effective use of budgets and resources.
• Competent in a range of IT tools including MS Office and database management systems.
• Effective written, oral communication and interpersonal skills with good negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to maintain effective working relationships at all levels.
• Creative problem solving skills and the ability to identify service improvement initiatives