SEND Assessment Officer (Post-16)

Bolton Council; Bolton; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts & gym prices

Salary sacrifice schemes

Generous annual leave

Flexible work opportunities

Pension scheme

Wellbeing services

Job summary

Bolton Council is recruiting for a role in the SEND Assessment Service, Post-16 hub. The post-holder will coordinate EHC Assessments and issue Plans under the 2014 Act, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and annual reviews.

You will work closely with families, education providers and health and care partners to secure positive outcomes. This permanent role involves liaising with diverse education providers, managing casework decisions about EHC plans, and supporting families through the

Qualifications

• Essential qualification: Level 6.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Education, Health and Care (EHC) Assessments and issue EHC Plans under the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Respond to Annual Reviews and make decisions on when an EHC plan may cease.
• Build links with families, settings and partner agencies to deliver outcomes for children and young people.
• Support families through mediation and dispute resolution within statutory processes.
• Provide clear advice and guidance to families and professionals about provision and pathways after leaving school.

Education

Level 6

Job description

Grade H scp 27 £39,481 to scp 31 £43,149
Contract: permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Essential qualification: level 6
Interview date: 27th & 28th of October 2026
For further information about this role, contact: Samantha.Nicholson-Hickling
@bolton.gov.uk

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

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The Role

This is a great time to join the SEND Assessment Service in Bolton as we are expanding our team to include a number of newly established roles. We currently have a vacancy within our Post-16 hub. The hub is newly established and this is a unique opportunity to make a difference for young people with SEND in Bolton during their final years in education. We know change is coming through the white paper and we are excited for the opportunities that this will bring. We want the right workforce in place to drive forward change and to set the young people of Bolton up for success in the future.

We are proud to say that children and young people with SEND in Bolton typically have positive experiences and outcomes (Local Area SEND Inspection June 2024). Those with EHCPs in Post-16 are actively supported to achieve Preparing for Adulthood outcomes associated with independence, employment, positive health and community inclusion. We are excited that the role will include liaising with a huge variety of unique education providers from colleges, supported internship providers, training centres, sixth forms and specialist SEND placements and the perfect individual for this role will need to adapt their skills and knowledge to suit the situations they find themselves in.

The SEND Assessment Service is a busy team committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEND). You will be central in supporting the SEND Assessment Service to meet its statutory duties through co‑ordinating Education, Health and Care (EHC) Assessments and issuing EHC Plans in accordance with the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Regulations 2014 and subsequent legislation as well as responding to Annual Reviews. You will also have responsibility for any associated casework including making decisions such as when an EHC plan may cease.

In Bolton we pride ourselves on our relationships. You will build links with families, settings, and other partner agencies across education, health and care to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people and to help all stakeholders navigate the statutory assessment process.

We know sometimes families don't agree with decision making and you will have a key role in working with families through mediation and dispute resolution to resolve issues. You will also support the LA in relation to its statutory duties regarding the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).

We also know many families find the journey following school misty, murky and confusing and individuals suited to working within the Post-16 hub will be a vital part of helping clear away the confusion by providing clear advice and guidance within the statutory processes to our families and professionals, giving them the confidence that young people with SEND in Bolton will receive the appropriate support after leaving school.

Closing date: 18th October 2026
Shortlisting: 21st October 2026
Interviews: 27th & 28th October 2026

About You

You will have a good understanding of the SEND framework as well as services across Education, Health and Social Care. You will foster positive relationships with families and partner agencies, managing or providing support for specific children or young people on your caseload. You will be required to work in a person‑centred way supporting families and professionals through the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process. You will have strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities to ensure deadlines are met. You will also need to build and establish relationships with a wide range of providers and services to ensure your knowledge of provision remains up to date and accurate.

We know that working in SEND can be challenging. You will have resilience and the ability to work to a high standard when under pressure and adhering to statutory deadlines. Excellent organisation and time management skills are vital to this role and you will be experienced in managing competing priorities.

Relationships are at the centre of what we do. You will be able to build positive relationships with both families and professionals and you must be committed to partnership working. Strong communication skills are important.

About Us

This is your opportunity to join us at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough.

Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents.

As an employer we want to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment, by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits.

• including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes
• a generous annual leave allowance
• flexible work opportunities
• access to a Pension Scheme
• a range of employee wellbeing and support services

Our Values are really important to us, read all about them below, along with all our great staff benefits, the job description/person specification for the role and the important legal bits, and our Top Tips too.

Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex‑military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification.

This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. That means we will recognise your continuous or 'unbroken' service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving you access to our service-related benefits. Please see the home page of greater.jobs for more information.

For more information about working for Bolton Council, please see greater.jobs; for advice and support with your application, contact [e-mail]

Supporting Documents

• Job description and person spec
• Staff Benefits
• Documents for Right to Work
• Our Values & Behaviours
• Privacy Notice
• Top Tips