Senior EHC Casework Officer

Kent County Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

DBS check

Job summary

Kent County Council is seeking a Senior EHC Casework Officer to oversee the Annual Review process and manage day-to-day activities to secure appropriate provision for children and young people with EHCPs. You will work across a defined Kent area, coordinating amendments or cessations when needed and collaborating with families and partner agencies.

The role requires strong knowledge of SEN legislation (SEN Code of Practice 2014, Children and Families Act 2014) and the ability to handle highly

Qualifications

• Experience with SEN legislation and the SEN Code of Practice (2014)
• Experience handling complex EHCP cases
• Ability to work to statutory timescales
• Strong confidentiality and data handling

Responsibilities

• Oversee Annual Review process for EHCPs within a geographical area
• Manage day-to-day activities to secure appropriate provision
• Coordinate amendment notices and cessation of plans
• Collaborate with families and agencies; ensure child-centred decisions
• Escalate complex cases to Team Manager

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Data analysis

IT systems knowledge

Communication skills

Tools

DBS clearance

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for Senior EHC Casework Officers to join our EHC Casework Team and Phase Transfer teams. This is a challenging and rewarding role for individuals who are dynamic, creative, and outcomes‑focused, and who are committed to improving the lives of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Kent.

The Local Authority has clear statutory responsibilities for children and young people aged 0–25 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Our EHC Casework Teams are committed to improving the quality, consistency, and timeliness of the Annual Review process, ensuring that children and young people receive the right support at the right time.

You will play a key role in delivering the Local Authority’s statutory functions by overseeing the Annual Review process and managing the day‑to‑day activities associated with securing appropriate provision for children and young people with EHCPs within a defined geographical area.

As a Senior EHC Casework Officer, you will oversee complex cases, ensuring statutory timescales are met and, where required, coordinating the issue of amendment notices, final amended EHCPs, or the cessation of plans. Working closely with colleagues, you will determine whether an EHCP should be amended, maintained, or ceased, and will collaborate effectively with wider professional agencies, children and young people, and their parents and carers. You will ensure families are fully involved, kept informed throughout the process, and that all decisions remain firmly child‑centred.

You will manage a smaller but more complex caseload, undertaking statutory processes in a professional and timely manner. This will include cases involving Looked After Children (LAC), Elective Home Education (EHE), children and young people at risk of placement breakdown, and those who move in and out of the county frequently. Highly complex cases should be discussed with, or escalated to, the EHC Casework Team Manager as appropriate.

This is a busy and demanding role; however, you will be supported by an established, experienced, and collaborative senior leadership team. There will be opportunities to further develop your skills, and Kent County Council is committed to continuous professional development within the service.

To be considered for this role, you will need a strong understanding of SEN legislation, in particular the SEN Code of Practice (2014), the Children and Families Act (2014), and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), and an ability to apply this knowledge within the context of Kent.

You will have excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills and demonstrate a resilient and tenacious approach to managing challenging situations. You will also have a sound knowledge of IT systems, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a strong commitment to maintaining high levels of accuracy and confidentiality. Confidence in data processing, data integration, and data analysis is essential.

If you are a positive individual with a ‘can‑do’ approach, capable of working under pressure while delivering a client‑focused service that exceeds expectations, we would welcome your application.

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

This role is considered customer‑facing, and under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016), Kent County Council has a statutory duty to ensure that post holders have a sufficient command of spoken English or Welsh to carry out their duties effectively. The required standards are outlined in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Location

The successful candidate will be required to work in the office at least two days per week, with flexible home‑working arrangements for the remaining time. The role will also involve attending meetings at educational settings, partner organisations, and Local Authority premises across Kent.

Start Date

November 2026

For more information about the School Age Team role, please contact Maria Halford at [e-mail] or telephone on 03000 418624

For more information about the Phase Transfer Team role, please contact Gemma Buckle at [e-mail] or telephone on 03000 415553

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Location Various locations - to be discussed at interview, United Kingdom