Senior Assessment & Reviewing Officer

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

30 days' annual leave plus bank hols (

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking a fixed-term Senior SEND Manager to lead statutory assessment and EHCP delivery. You will chair multi-agency meetings, guide an Assessment and Review Officer team, and drive service performance while safeguarding vulnerable children and families.

The role blends hybrid working with county locations, plus a focus on improving outcomes and ensuring statutory responsibilities are met through specialist expertise.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification such as Teaching, Social Work or Management or Level 6 qualification.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and safeguarding policies.
• Experience in leading multi-agency partnerships and complex decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEND assessments and EHCP delivery with child-centred outcomes.
• Manage and develop a team of Assessment and Review Officers.
• Provide expert guidance to children, young people and families in complex cases.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-agency collaboration

Risk assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Policy understanding

Education

Level 6 qualification (e.g., Teaching, Social Work, Management)

Job description

This fixed-term post sits within Somerset Council's Statutory SEND service, on a 1- or 2-year contract. The role centres on running statutory assessment and the Education, Health and Care Plan process for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and leading a team of assessment and review officers. The post combines hybrid working, with at least two days a week at County Hall, and chairing multi-agency meetings and handling tribunals and mediation. Visa sponsorship is not offered, so candidates must already have the right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Lead SEND assessments and EHCP delivery, with child-centred outcomes
• Manage and develop a team of Assessment and Review Officers
• Oversee complex cases and give expert guidance to children, young people and families
• Lead complex decision-making
• Chair multi-agency meetings and work with partners to resolve complex situations
• Champion inclusion and early intervention through multi-agency partnerships
• Drive continuous improvement, quality practice and service performance
• Monitor SEND performance
• Deliver operational statutory assessment and associated SEND processes so the council meets its statutory responsibilities
• Work within SEND tribunals and mediations
• Help shape and develop Somerset's SEND services through specialist expertise

What’s required

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification, such as Teaching, Social Work or Management, or equivalent Level 6 qualification

Experience

• Producing high-quality, person-centred plans
• Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working, including assessing and managing risk for vulnerable children and young people
• Working within safeguarding policies and procedures

Skills & knowledge

• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, including the Equality Act, Children and Families Act and SEND Code of Practice
• Leading multi-agency meetings and driving positive outcomes
• Building trusted relationships with children, families, schools and professionals

Checks & eligibility

• Right to work in the UK without sponsorship

What’s offered

• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities