Vacancies

Lead EHCP Officer

Main Responsibility

• As a Lead Education Heath Care Plan Officer, the role will support the team through effective line management of the SEND EHC Assessment and Review Officers to ensure statutory assessments and reviews happen in a timely and accurate manner and meet the national performance indicators.
• Collect, analyse and report data to drive improvement to the Assessment/ EHCP strategic lead through monthly KPIs and a highlight reports. 
• Lead, participate and contribute to the ongoing improvement of the SEND Local Area by working as part of the SEND Partnership in line with our SEND Strategy.
• Work in collaboration with the Tribunal Lead to ensure tribunals and mediations are managed accordingly, supporting with delivery of operational work within this area.
• Lead the team in making sure there is accurate management of top up/ EHCP funding for children and young people with SEN support plans and EHCPs ensuring resources are effectively managed with maximum impact. Support the Assessment/EHCP Strategic lead with the management of the overall budget taking into consideration the pressured High Needs Block.
• In collaboration with the Data and Placement Officers, ensure the team are effectively updating the Capita ONE system and caseload tracker to keep it up to date and accurate, enabling effective data management and ensuring children and young people are placed in a timely manner.
• Attend, record and support the facilitation of EHC co-production meetings and/or annual reviews to ensure all parties are adhering to statutory regulations and meeting Local Authority Guidelines and ensure high quality EHCPs that meet the whole need of the child or young person. 
• Keep up to date with current and new legislation including local and national policy to effectively communicate, verbally and in written form, SEND legislation and local processes to all stakeholders (including internal colleagues, schools, families and young people). Present clear information and provide direct advice to encourage parents/carers, children, young people and schools to positively engage with the outcomes and coproduction of EHC plans and/or reviews, maintaining the values and principles behind the local SEND strategy. This may at times require having face to face meetings.
• Through effective line management make sure the team are fully equipped to deliver their roles through high quality induction, training and supervision enabling them to have the skill set to lead on assessment or review work depending on the needs of the business.
• Manage complaints in the absence of the Assessment/ EHCP strategic lead covering senior responsibilities as appropriate.
• Enhanced plus barred DBS – Working within regulated activity providing advice/guidance on physical, emotional or educational wellbeing. 

The Ideal Candidate

• Relevant degree or equivalent level qualification.
• At least 3 years’ experience of working in an educational environment local government or other relevant field with an understanding of current Special Education Needs principles and procedures and current legislation related to SEN and Disability Discrimination Act.
• Experience of working in a senior role and or / experience of line managing team members.
• Excellent ICT skills including the use of word, power point, excel, AI tools and Capita ONE.
• Highly developed organisational skills, ability to plan ahead, prioritise workload and pay attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, ensuring EHCPs can be produced with a high-quality ability to deal with families and professionals who may be anxious or unhappy with the decisions made.
• Experience and ability to manage and hold local authority decisions when stake holders may voice dissatisfaction at outcomes.
• Can work effectively as both part of a team whilst being able to work on own initiative and take responsibility for own workload.
• Be resilient in the changing landscape of SEND showing ability to be flexible and work to the needs of the ever-changing business.

Driving licence and vehicle insurance with business insurance 

For this role, the candidate is required to have a full UK driving licence, along with access to a vehicle. 

Evidence of the driving licence and vehicle insurance with business insurance will be required from the candidate should they be offered this position. Without this documentation the candidate will not be appointable. 

DBS Enhanced 

Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service). 

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week.  Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference. 

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.