EHC Senior Casework Officer (East Kent)
Role Responsibility
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Senior EHC Casework Officer to join our East Kent Team. If you want a challenging and rewarding career with real opportunities to change the lives of people in Kent; if you are dynamic, creative, positive, and dedicated to improving outcomes for those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), then we want to hear from you!
The Local Authority has clearly defined roles and responsibilities in relation to children and young people aged 0-25 years with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The EHC Casework Team are committed to improving the quality and timeliness of completing the Annual Review process.
You will play an integral part in ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of the statutory functions of the local authority, in relation to the Annual Review and phase transfer processes as well the day-to-day duties associated with arranging provision for children, in the East Kent Area, with an Education Health Care Plan, from Year R to Year 9
You will oversee the Annual Review process for complex cases within the statutory timescales, and when required, issue of an amendment notice, final amended EHC Plan, or ceasing of a plan. This means you will need to, working with colleagues, decide whether an EHC plan should be amended, maintained, or ceased whilst working collaboratively with wider professional agencies, young people and the parents and carers of children who have an EHC Plan to ensure that all required amendments are made and that the families are involved and kept informed about progress while ensuring all decisions made put the child or young person at the center of them.
You will be responsible for holding a smaller but more complex caseload conducting statutory processes within timescales and in a professional manner ensuring close collaboration with young people and the parents and carers of children and young people. This will include Looked after Children (LAC), Elective Home Education (EHE), at risk of placement breakdown and those known to move in and out of the county frequently. Cases that are highly complex are to be consulted on or escalated, when appropriate, to the EHC Casework Team Manager.
Whilst this is a busy and demanding post, you will be working with an established, experienced, and supportive senior leadership team, you will have opportunities to extend your skills. Kent County Council have a commitment to continuous professional development in our service.
To be considered for this role, you should have an excellent understanding of SEN legislation, specifically SEN Code of Practice (2014), Children and Family Act (2014) and Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and its application within the context of Kent.
You will also have sound knowledge of IT and excellent communication (both verbal and written) skills. You will understand the importance of maintaining an elevated level of accuracy and confidentiality in your work and be confident in data processing, data integration and data analytics.
If you consider yourself to be a positive person, with a ‘can-do’ approach who can rise to the pressures within the EHC Casework Team, providing a client-driven service, exceeding expectations, then we want to hear from you.
This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Location
This post is for the East Kent Area, based at Brook House, Whitstable (CT5 3SS). Please note the successful candidate will spend at least 2-days per week working in the office, flexibly working from home throughout the rest of the week. The post holder will also undertake meetings in educational settings, other organisations, and Local Authority premises across Kent.
Start Date
March 2025
About the Company
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and faiths, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
Contact Details
For more information about the role, please contact Niall Fricker, Team Manager – niall.fricker@kent.gov.uk or 03000 412652
About the Company
Work that works for you and us - let’s talk flexibility!
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.