SEND Assessment Officer

About the job
Salary: £41,511 - £44,711 a year plus £963 essential car user allowance
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented SEND Assessment Officer to join our team. In this vital role, you will manage a caseload of Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans, working closely with SEND EHCP Coordinators to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, the SEN Code of Practice, and Luton's SEN policy.

Your responsibilities will include analysing and evaluating educational, medical, and psychological advice, writing and maintaining EHC plans, and implementing decisions from local authority panels. You will work collaboratively with schools, parents, and multi-agency teams to develop creative solutions tailored to the needs of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).

You will represent the Local Authority in various settings, including panels and Special Educational Needs Tribunal hearings, contributing to robust decision-making processes and effective conflict resolution. As a trusted advisor, you will also deliver training to schools, families, and professionals, helping to build a supportive network for children with SEN.

This is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to raising educational standards for children with SEN while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About you
To be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge of statutory assessment systems, particularly under the Education Act 1996 and Children and Families Act 2014. Your background may include work in schools, local authorities, or other relevant settings.

We're looking for a strong communicator with the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, families, and multi-agency teams. You'll be skilled at chairing meetings, resolving conflicts, and influencing stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for children. The ability to manage complex workloads and meet statutory deadlines is essential.

Key attributes include:

• Proficiency in written and oral communication to draft detailed, evidence-based EHC plans and case reports.
• The ability to make innovative recommendations based on analysis of complex information.
• Knowledge of SEN legislation and guidance, including the SEN Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014.
• A commitment to equality and an understanding of how it informs your work.

A professional qualification in the education field or a relevant degree is required. You should also be willing to work flexibly, including occasional travel within and outside of Luton.

At our organisation, you'll be part of a passionate team dedicated to supporting children and young people with SEN. We offer opportunities for professional growth, a collaborative work environment, and the chance to make a real difference in our community.

If you have the skills, experience, and drive to succeed in this role, apply today.

This is a public facing role so you'll need to show off your fluency in speaking and writing English
About us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision - that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty - is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council - and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce thatreflects the diversity of our borough
Application Process
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person's criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
Benefits
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

- From 25 to 32 days' annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel