Directorate

JOB OUTLINE

Job Title: SEN Team Leader
Responsible to: Service Manager: Specialist Services and Inclusive Education and PEP / Post Number:
Scale Point: scp 35
Overall Purpose of the Job: To lead the SEN Team in operationalising the strategic vision contained within the SEND Strategy and C & YP Plan. To manage the SEN Team in ensuring that East Riding meets it’s statutory requirements with regard to statutory assessments, co-ordinated assessments and arrangements made for pupils with EHC Plans and statements. To ensure that children, young people and their families are at the centre of assessment and planning processes by facilitating the co-production of Education, Health and Care Assessments and Plans with and for children/young people with SEND
Principal Accountabilities:
1. / To lead the SEN Team in ensuring that the strategic direction of the SEND Strategy and C & YP Plan are operationalised.
2. / To manage the SEN Team in the administration of statutory assessments and arrangements made for pupils with EHC Plans and statements; this includes allocation of workloads, managing the process and monitoring arrangements, in line with timescales.
3. / To determine through SEN Panel whether or not statutory assessments of SEND are to be carried out for individual pupils through the application of legislation, regulations and statutory guidance. According to DfES, although an SEN Panel operates the final decision making power must not be delegated and rests with the Named Officer.
4. / To determine through the SEN panel whether or not a statement/ EHC plan should be issued for an individual pupil following a multi-disciplinary co-ordinated assessment. As above regarding a lawful decision being made and the role of the Named Officer.
5. / To determine through the SEN Panel appropriate placement and level of support to be issued with statements/ EHC Plans and following review. As above regarding a lawful decision being made and the role of the Named Officer.
6. / To ensure that Annual Reviews are held for those pupils educated at home, complex case, those pupils placed out of East Riding and on specialist alternative learning packages.
7. / To improve smooth transition arrangements in relation to Early years and preparation for adulthood.
8. / To take the lead in the development of the role of the Plan Co-ordinator.
9. / To take the lead in the development of person-centred planning meetings for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the 0-25 year old age range
10. / To ensure children, young people and their families are at the centre of assessment and planning processes by facilitating the co-production of Education, Health and Care Assessments and Plans with and for children/young people with SEND
11. / To ensure EHC Plans are part of an ongoing process, clearly detailing the child/young person’s needs, providing clear actions and establishing realistic, outcome-focused timescales
12. / To ensure that Plan Co-ordinators act as the main point of contact for families for the duration of the EHC Planning process, establishing, where possible, a “tell us once” approach to information gathering and sharing
13. / To ensure the child/young person and/or their parents/carers are involved in meetings and the development of the EHC Plan
14. / To ensure that transport needs are taken into account at appropriate times during the EHC Planning process.
15. / To ensure effective and timely delivery of the EHC process and EHC plans
16. / To ensure that a Resource Allocation System (RAS) is applied in order to ascertain eligibility for provision and the appropriate financial contribution required
17. / To ensure parents/carers understand and are able to make decisions about personal budgets for provision of SEND support
18 / To take the lead to ensure that relevant professionals in education, health and social care and other relevant disciplines have the knowledge, experience, skills to undertake relevant assessments to inform the EHC Plans
19. / To communicate with a variety of services, agencies and providers to gather information in order to support the family to make well-informed choices, including parent support services.
20. / To Chair and attend appropriate Panels.
21. / To ensure that East Riding are represented at all appeals to tribunal hearings
22. / To ensure that dispute resolution and mediation is provided as appropriate.
23. / To support budget allocation, monitor and review expenditure against budget allocation.
24. / To ensure that performance of the SEN Team is compliant with statutory requirements.
25. / To liaise with Social Care and Health on matters relating to SEND. To represent the Directorate as appropriate and ensure that any reports required by the Director/ Head of Service are prepared and submitted within timescale.
26. / To monitor provision for pupils with SEND in collaboration with other professionals and advise Service Manager/ Head of Service on formulation of policy.
27. / To be responsible for identifying, commissioning and securing appropriate provision.
28. / To ensure that the processes associated with the current statement procedures continue to operate until phased out
29. / To carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of the position and which are commensurate with the grade of the post
General Information:
1. The above principal accountabilities are not exhaustive and may vary without changing the character of the job or level of responsibility.
2. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974 and other associated legislation places responsibilities for Health and Safety on all employees. Therefore it is the postholder’s responsibility to take reasonable care for Health and Safety and Welfare of him/herself and other employees in accordance with legislation.
3. The above duties may involve having access to information of a confidential nature which may be covered by the Data Protection Act, and by Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
4. East Riding of Yorkshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Postholder’s Signature: / Date:

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Job Outline EHC Plan Co-ordinator July 2014