SEND Panel Co-ordinator

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated Panel Co-ordinator to join our SEND Team. The SEND Team are responsible for ensuring that the LA's statutory duties towards individual children and young people with SEND are met.

In this role, you will; have responsibility for supporting the administrative processes of the Education Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) application and recording assessment and reviewing processes. Tasks include coordinating and recording at various panels, data inputting and report generating, completion of finance forms. The successful candidate will have direct contact with families and partner agencies via email, telephone and virtual platforms. The post holder will also arrange meetings, including venues, and support the administration of the top up funding process and assisting officers in their duties as requested.

Key Responsibilities:

• Co-ordinating and recording notes at various panels
• Data inputting and report generating
• Act as first port of call to the team via phones and email
• Administration of top up funding process
• Assisting managers with the administration of tribunal cases.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

This position is currently based at the Town Hall, Weston-Super-Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about SEND, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent administrative and IT skills
• Ability to manage/organise own work and that of others to meet agreed deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills when answering phone and email enquiries.
• Understanding and recognition of professional & personal boundaries.
• Ability to engage with service users and partner agencies within the relevant codes of practice values (dignity, respect etc)
• Knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience using CAPITA / EHCP Hub

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet .

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Nicki Winstone, Senior SEND Officer, at nicki.winstone@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Monday 13 January 2025.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.