Job Profile

Job Title:
Manager Statutory Assessment Services
Date Completed:
7th July 2015
Job Reference Number:
Job Band:
Functional Area:
People Commissioning
Accountable to:
Head of Commissioning Education and Lifelong Learning
Job Dimensions:
Strategic and operational leadership of Statutory Assessment Service.
Budget xxx
Xxx FTEs
Key interface –
Internal ECC colleagues and elected members as per governance structure
Special and mainstream headteacher’s and SENCOs
Essex Special School Education Trust (ESSET)
Association of Secondary Headteacher’s (ASH)
Essex Primary Headteacher Association (EPHA)
The Role:
  • Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK and is undergoing significant transformational change in order to move to a commissioning led authority.
  • The post holder will manage and lead the effective delivery of statutory assessment services in Essex.
  • The post holder will contribute to the definition of the strategy in order to transform and deliver LA retained SEN provider services through a schools led system whilst ensuring that ECC statutory responsibilities are met.
  • The post holder will have ambition, personal drive and a flexible approach in order to research and recommend an innovative model, leading to a school led system for SEN and School improvement.

Job Purpose Summary:
  • Ensure the effective delivery of the statutory assessment services and completion of targets in relation to SEND Reform.
  • To effectively manage the Local Authority budget for making provision for SEN in Essex schools.
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Essex Local Offer.
  • The post holder will contribute to the review and recommendation of future models for Statutory Assessment Services in Essex

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Line Manager Core Accountabilities
  • Contribute to thorough assessment, management and mitigation of risk, in relation to the transformation of statutory SEN services in partnership with other SEN stakeholders
  • To provide professional leadership and contribute to effective performance management for the Statutory Assessment Service
  • Work collaboratively with partners to ensure the best overall outcome for the people of Essex whilst protecting ECC’s interests;tackle poor performance swiftly, positively and effectively
  • Think creatively, challenging the norms, and constructively challenging those around them to embed a culture shift to a school led system, ensuring continuous improvement, value for money, and demonstrate the ability to inspire the same behaviours in employees.
Role Specific Accountabilities (maximum 10)
  • Meet all SEND Reform targets in relation to Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans
  • Contribute to the control and management of operational budgets in respect of those outcomes assigned to the role in compliance with the council’s financial regulations
  • Assist with analysis of risk and opportunity in order to recommend a preferred model for the delivery of Statutory Assessment, Education Psychology services and SEND Information and Support Service (SEND IASS).
  • Manage the SEN Area Managers in undertaking the statutory assessment services for pupils with special educational needs. Manage and monitor the implementation of operational and quality standards
  • Ensure that SAS case management systems are operating effectively and that effective moderation processes are in place, aimed at promoting consistency of practice and equality of access for pupils with SEN to resources/ provision
  • Ensure that discussions and negotiations are carried out with parents, schools (and others as appropriate) in a constructive and effective manner regarding placement arrangements.
  • Ensure that all data collection systems are implemented, developed and maintained as required
  • Implement and oversee complaints processes including responses to elected members, MPs, Headteachers, Governors and parents/parent organisations and ensure final resolution.
  • Deal effectively with the resolution of sensitive and contentious individual case work, e.g. following up letters of complaint by the Ombudsman, DfES, Judicial Reviews, Child Protection matters
  • Support the liaison and communication processes with key stakeholder groups such as; parents, schools, health representatives and other local authority colleagues.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (maximum 10):
  • Qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject area, or equivalent by experience
  • Extensive experience of working with children and young people with SEN/disability.
  • Further qualification in Education management and or experience in managing/supervising
  • Excellent communication skills and a strong ability to lead, manage and motivate others
  • Skills and experience in data analysis and service evaluation
  • A detailed understanding and awareness if the requirements of leading and managing change with a large complex organisation.
  • Ability to successfully conduct difficult negotiations with a range of partners.
  • Experience of working in a political environment with skills in understanding and responding to different perspectives, complex problem solving and taking a cross organisational perspective
  • Experience within the Education Lifelong sector;evidence of successfully delivering outcomes in the field of SEND

Competencies and Behaviours:
The postholder must behave in accordance with ECC’s Values and Behaviours, including the core leadership behaviours.
Work Style:
Office based.
An office based employee will spend most of their working time at a desk. They will rarely attend meetings and are unlikely to be away from the office. They may, however, work flexibly on an infrequent/ad-hoc basis.
Flexible office based.
A flexible office based employee will have a main base but will either attend regular meetings, and/or work flexibly on a more frequent basis.
Mobile.
A mobile employee has a nominated ECC base but spends at least 50% of their time working flexibly.
Home based.
A home based worker has no nominated ECC base and spends at least 80% of their time working at home.
Safeguarding:
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Role Requirement: This role does require a DBS (CRB) check.
JP Owners / Signed / Date
Pre-employment Checks:
Role Requirement:
Working with children / adults or in a specified place.
Pre-Employment Check / Definition
Self Declaration
(Spent and unspent convictions) / A declaration of spent and unspent convictions must be completed by employees who work with vulnerable adults or children.
Enhanced DBS and List Check / The DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check will be sought by ECC.
For internal candidates a new check will be requested if the current check is two years old or more.
References / All posts defined as Regulated as outlined in the DBS Regulations will require:
  • At least two employer references – one reference will be requested prior to interview and should ideally be from your current/most recent employer.
  • Referees will be contacted by the hiring manager to verify the reference (Children’s Residential and Fostering & Adoption only).
  • Reference history covering a minimum of five years employment.
  • A reference from the last employer where the post gave access to children or vulnerable adults.
  • For Children’s Residential references will also be sought from all posts held since leaving full time education. where they have had access to vulnerable adults or children.
Any gaps of 4 weeks or more will be explored by the manager at interview stage. Where requested by the manager additional character references will be taken up.
Medical / All new recruits are required to complete a medical health declaration.
ID/
Eligibility to work in the UK / Proof is required in line with UK Visa and Immigration requirements and original documentation will be sought i.e. passport or full birth certificate.
Regulatory qualifications and professional registration
(subject to role) / Original qualification certificates and proof of registration with a professional body are required (if applicable).
Protocol Check
(SCF - Children’s Social Care Team only, now known as Family Operations) / A check against the individuals name on the Social Care electronic database will be administered.
Safer Recruitment Consultant / Signed / Date