Lead Officer - Assessments and Statutory Processes EHCP Casework Team

Job Introduction

About Us

Join Oxfordshire County Council on an exciting journey towards Delivering the Future Together, our ambitious transformation programme which will enable us to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. We’re seeking the right people who can help us get there while embracing our value of ‘daring to do it differently’, as we continue to strive to do better.

In our Children, Education, & Families Directorate, we want every child to have the best possible education and with this goal in mind, we’ve set out to improve and transform our services.

We are currently in the process of re-evaluating and restructuring our Specialist Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services, with the objective of advancing the educational outcomes for children and young people. 

About the Role

We’ve transformed the way we help our communities to get the best outcomes possible for every child and family we work with. 

As part of this, we continue to invest in Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), with the growth of our four teams within the EHCP Casework Team:

• Assessment and Statutory Processes Team
• Early Years and Primary Team
• Secondary and Post 16 Team
• Tribunals, Resolutions and Compliance Team

As Lead Officer, you will be responsible for directly managing a team of 2 Senior Officers. Additionally, you will lead the wider ‘Assessment and Statutory Processes’ Team which consists of a team of Assessment Officers who complete statutory assessments for children and young people across Oxfordshire.

This is an interesting and varied role where you will have the opportunity to collaborate with key Senior Managers. Together, you’ll influence and guide the development of the Local Area Strategy for SEND where you’ll play a pivotal role in executing our post-Ofsted Transformation Programme, which aims to enhance services and promote the inclusion of vulnerable children and young people. Your contributions will be crucial in driving sustained enhancements in their achievements and outcomes.

In this role, you will have strategic oversight of the Assessment and Statutory Processes Team. The purpose of the role is:

• To oversee all aspects of the Education Health and Needs Assessment (EHCNA) process, ensuring statutory compliance with a specific focus on meeting 20-week timeframes
• To ensure that other statutory processes, especially around Annual Reviews and Phase Transfers, are compliant
• To ensure that decision making processes are consistent, robust and transparent for children and their families
• To support wider transformation work around the quality of EHCPs
• To ensure that data is being used effectively to drive improvements across the team

About you

We would like to hear from you if you are…

• Always learning, confident and skilled in SEN Casework with an excellent knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and relevant Legislation.
• Kind and caring, a skilled communicator with excellent leadership and line management skills. 
• Willing to take responsibility and problem solve, working within statutory timeframes, dealing with complex casework and liaising with families and key agencies to ensure best provision and outcomes for our children and young people.
• Driven to do it differently to embark on a journey of continuous improvement in SEND.
• Advocating for equality and integrity in all you do.
• An experienced manager within SEND Casework, including managing processes around EHCNAs, Annual Reviews and Phase Transfer; chairing multi agency panels; delivering effective quality assurance processes; multi-agency working; managing and tracking complaints through agreed and formal processes; reviewing and suggesting best practice models for continuous team development and improvement; line managing and advising staff in relation to all of the above. 

Rewards and benefits

• Competitive salary 
• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Flexible working. 
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24 x7.
• Range of family friendly policies.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities. 
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Explore more here
• For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Nick Field, SEND Operations Manager, at nick.field@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: nick.field@oxfordshire.gov.uk