SEND Casework Officer (Pre 16 or Post 16)

Liverpool City Council; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Flexible/agile working

LG Pension Scheme

Health and Wellbeing

Cycle to Work

Travel Pass

Salary sacrifice car lease

Family friendly policies

Discounted gym memberships

Employee volunteering

Medicash

Job summary

Liverpool City Council is seeking a SEND Casework Officer (Pre-16 or Post-16) to manage a defined caseload and work with children, families and professionals to develop high-quality Education, Health and Care plans. Posts may be within the pre-16 or post-16 team, with allocation considered by needs and skills during recruitment.

You will coordinate needs assessments, draft/ amend plans, oversee annual reviews and secure suitable placements within statutory timescales.

Qualifications

• Experience in SEND, education or children’s services.
• Sound understanding of SEND legislation.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined caseload and work with families and professionals to develop EHC plans.
• Coordinate EHC needs assessments, draft and amend plans, and oversee annual reviews.
• Ensure appropriate education placements and provision within statutory timescales.
• Support transitions and SEND Tribunal casework with a child-centered focus.

Skills

SEND experience

Education sector

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Social work degree or equivalent

Job description

Job title: SEND Casework Officer (Pre 16 or Post 16)

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services. We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces - there's really something for everyone! Our Practice Model - "Our City, Our Children, Together" - was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

The role:

As a SEND Casework Officer, you will manage a defined caseload and work closely with children, young people, families and professionals to develop high-quality Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans that reflect individual needs and support meaningful outcomes. Posts may be within either the pre-16 or post-16 team. Allocation will be considered during recruitment, taking account of candidates’ skills and experience alongside the needs of the service.

You will coordinate EHC needs assessments, draft and amend plans, oversee annual reviews and secure appropriate education placements and provision, progressing casework within statutory timescales.

In the pre-16 team, you will work with families, SENCOs, early years settings and schools to translate assessment advice into clear, specific provision that supports children’s learning, inclusion and progress. You will coordinate placement consultations and phase transfers, including entry to school and the move to secondary education, ensuring plans are reviewed and amended within statutory deadlines. From Year 9, you will ensure annual reviews include preparation for adulthood, with clear outcomes and early planning for post-16 education or training.

In the post-16 team, you will work directly with young people, families, colleges and training providers to develop purposeful education and training pathways, including supported internships where appropriate. You will ensure reviews consider progress towards employment, independent living, community participation and good health, rather than simply progression to another course. You will support young people to participate in decisions about their plans, coordinate timely transitions with health and adult social care colleagues where needed and plan for a supported move beyond the EHC plan when it is appropriate to cease it.

Across both teams, you will build positive and strong relationships with families and professionals, respond to concerns and complaints and manage mediation and SEND Tribunal casework for allocated cases, seeking early resolution wherever possible while keeping the child or young person’s needs central.

You will bring relevant experience in SEND, education or children’s services, a sound understanding of SEND legislation and strong communication and organisational skills. You will be able to analyse professional advice, manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records while working sensitively with children, young people and families.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and up to date registration with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker.

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a "Flexibility First" approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme - option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time - a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Closing date: Midnight on 22 November 2026

Shortlisting date: W/C 23 November 2026

Interview date: W/C 30 November 2026

Interview type: Face-to-face

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail].

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.