Job Details
Job Description
Job Title: SEN Duty Coordinator (Senior SEN Caseworker)
Grade: SO2
Service: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Department: People Services
Reports to: SEN Assessment & Quality Assurance Team Leader
Role Purpose
To provide a high-quality statutory SEND service ensuring the Local Authority meets its legal duties under the Children and Families Act 2014. The postholder will be deployed flexibly across the SEND service to manage and support complex EHCP casework, cover periods of staff absence, and ensure statutory timescales, quality standards, and person-centred practice are maintained.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide senior cover across the SEND service during staff absence or peak demand, including phased transfers and transitions.
• Coordinate and complete EHC Needs Assessments and Annual Reviews within statutory timescales.
• Draft and quality-assure high-standard Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Chair and attend person-centred meetings with children, young people, families, and multi-agency partners.
• Manage complex and sensitive cases, including disagreement resolution, mediation, and complaint responses.
• Prepare cases for SEN Panels, placement decisions, and tribunal proceedings where required.
• Coordinate consultations with educational settings and support placement decision-making in line with legal requirements and parental preference.
• Maintain accurate and timely records on the SEND case management system.
• Build effective working relationships with families, schools, other local authorities, and partner agencies.
• Contribute to service improvement, performance targets, and quality assurance activity.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
• Strong working knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory processes, and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience managing complex statutory casework in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including EHCP drafting.
• Highly organised, resilient, and able to manage competing deadlines.
• Confident in professional judgement, decision-making, and partnership working.
Additional Information
The role carries no direct line management responsibility but provides guidance and support to case officers and business support staff. The postholder must work in line with Council policies on safeguarding, equality, health and safety, and information governance.
