Grade 11 £47,181 - £50,269 per annum

Children’s Services - SEND Team

Hours: Full time 37hrs

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced and motivated SEND Senior Case Officer to join our Children’s Services Directorate. This is a key role supporting the SEND Team Manager to deliver high quality statutory SEND services for children and young people aged 0-25.

About the role

As a SEND Senior Case Officer, you will play a vital part in ensuring the Council meets its statutory responsibilities in relation to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments and Plans (EHCPs). You will lead on complex casework, support continuous improvement within the service, and take a prominent role in tribunal and mediation processes. You will champion a person centred approach, working closely with children, young people, families, schools, health partners and social care to secure positive outcomes and promote inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the SEND Team Manager in the effective delivery and quality assurance of EHCP processes
• Managing a complex caseload, including writing EHCPs and coordinating statutory processes
• Leading on SEND Tribunal cases, representing the Local Authority as required
• Chairing panels, including assessment and resource allocation panels
• Promoting partnership working with education, health, social care, the voluntary sector and parent/carer forums
• Supporting service development, policy implementation and continuous improvement
• Deputising for the SEND Team Manager when required
• Ensuring safeguarding, equality, data protection and legislative requirements are embedded in practice
• Contributing to commissioning activity and ensuring effective use of public funds

Qualifications and Experience

• Significant experience working within SEND statutory services
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and best practice
• Proven ability to manage complex cases and work confidently with families and professionals
• Experience of tribunal preparation and representation
• Excellent communication, negotiation and organisational skills
• A relentless focus on improving outcomes and life chances for children and young people with SEND
• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage sensitive and complex conversations, including delivering difficult decisions and statutory outcomes, de escalating conflict and supporting families and professionals through highly emotive situations, while maintaining a consistently professional, authoritative and child centred approach
• Proven experience of line managing and developing a team of SEND case officers, ensuring effective case oversight, consistency of decision making and continuous improvement in service delivery, in line with statutory and local authority requirements

What We Offer

• Competitive Local Government salary
• Flexi time scheme (by agreement)
• Professional development and training opportunities
• The opportunity to make a real difference to children and young people in Dudley

Additional Information

• Enhanced DBS check
• The Council is committed to equality, diversity and safeguarding
• Flexible working arrangements available

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults; therefore, the post is subject to medical clearance and an enhanced DBS check.