SEN Casework Officer

Casework officers are key members of Cornwall’s Statutory SEN Service. This team of people coordinate key processes for children and young people with complex special educational needs. This includes education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments, as well as reviewing the progress of children and young people with EHC plans. There are over 3500 children and young people from 0-25 years of age in Cornwall who have EHC plans. Casework officers undertake extensive liaison with families of children and young people as well as with a wide range of education, social care, and health professionals. There is a mixture of predominantly home based work with some time spent in an office and meetings in person and via remote computer links e.g. with families, schools and colleges. The purpose of the role is to ensure that the children and young people with the most complex special educational needs are well supported to have the best possible life outcomes through effective assessment of their needs and active administration of their EHC plans.

We would love to hear from you if:

• You want to make a difference for children and families in Cornwall.
• You are a ‘people person’ who is also understands the importance of legislation and processes and is happy using computer systems.
• You can lead in meetings and mediate to reach a way forward.
• You are a skilled communicator both in speaking and writing.
• You are a resilient person and when faced with challenge you continue to be able to work with a variety of individuals in a productive way.
• You are an organised person with attention to detail and can record accurately.
• You are able to work with a range of professionals including schools, health and social care colleagues.
• You are flexible and can respond to changing demands.

For more information about EHC needs assessments and EHC plans please see the SEND Code of Practice, particularly Chapter 9

SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

This role is varied and busy, no two days are ever the same and full support and training is provided to our new members of staff.

For more information regarding the role, please contact -

Vicki Strugnell - vicki.strugnell@cornwall.gov.uk (from 20/3/23 - 26/3/23)

Christine Roberts - christine.roberts@cornwall.gov.uk (from 27/3/23 onwards)

This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies.

Please view the role profile here, your application will need to demonstrate how you meet the required criteria. Please ensure you answer all of the pre-screening questions in full, within the application form. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process. Please do not upload any additional documentation in support of this application. Applications will be considered based on the screening questions and qualifications and experience details provided within the application form only. Any further attachments will not be considered when the recruiting managers are shortlisting for interview.

Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g. race, disability, sex, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It’s a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.

Whilst the location/work-base for this role has been specified our evolving ways of working means that the role may require you to also work remotely (e.g. from home/other locations). We will discuss this with you during the recruitment process.

This position will be subject to a criminal record disclosure check.

More information about working for Cornwall Council is available here.

We are happy to talk about flexible working options.