SEND Assessment Officer

Job Introduction

Salary: £48,738 to £51,928 a year pro rata plus £3,203 car cash
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract type: Internal Secondment / Fixed Term for 12 months

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates.

This role is available for 12 months. Internal candidates who are permanent employees of Luton Council will be appointed on a secondment basis, while external candidates and other eligible applicants will be appointed on a fixed-term contract for 12 months.

Current Luton Council employees applying for this opportunity must obtain written approval from their manager before applying (an email will suffice). A copy of this approval must be included with the application, as we will be unable to progress applications without it.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

What You’ll be doing 

As a SEND Assessment Officer at Luton Borough Council, you will play a key role in supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), working closely with families, schools and partner agencies to ensure their needs are appropriately assessed and met.

The role involves analysing educational, medical, psychological and social care advice to develop and maintain high-quality Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), coordinating reviews and implementing decisions relating to appropriate educational provision. You will work collaboratively with schools and other professionals, provide advice and training on SEND statutory processes and legislation, and contribute to panels, service development and quality improvement.

You will also support effective disagreement resolution, advise parents on their statutory rights and, where required, represent the Council at SEND Tribunal.

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate will have in-depth knowledge and experience of statutory SEND assessment processes, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice, together with experience of working in a school, local authority or equivalent setting. Experience of working with children and young people with SEN and collaborating effectively with schools, families and multi-agency partners to address complex needs and achieve positive outcomes is essential.

You will have excellent communication, influencing, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and chair multi-agency meetings and reviews. You will be able to manage a complex workload, meet statutory timescales and analyse complex information to produce accurate, detailed and evidence-based EHC plans, case reports and tribunal documentation.

A relevant professional qualification in education or a degree-level qualification, or equivalent experience, is required, alongside good ICT skills and an understanding of equality issues and relevant SEND legislation and guidance. The role also requires a flexible approach, including a willingness to work outside normal office hours when required and travel to schools and other locations within and occasionally outside Luton.

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?

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.

Applicants for this public-facing post will need to demonstrate the ability to converse, and provide effective help or advice, fluently in spoken English

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

Benefits

Please click here to learn about Luton Council Employee Benefits. 

How to apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: Please click here for further information.