SEND Operations Partner
Fixed Term / Secondment (12 months), Full Time
£33,915 to £39,900 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Closing Date: 12th November 2026
*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office at least one day per month, depending on business need.
Please note this role will be offered as a 12 month fixed-term contract or secondment. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, so applicants must have current, unrestricted right to work in the UK for this duration.
Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life experience of children and young people with SEND. Our vision is for a SEND system which identifies and assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and impactful support without a high dependence on Essex County Council’s statutory services.
The SEND Operations Partner will manage and develop the SEND Operations Co-ordinators within a quadrant, according to the vision for SEND in Essex. Effectively delivering the council’s statutory duties in relation to the assessment and review of children/young people with SEND.
Accountabilities
Lead a team of SEND Operations Co-ordinators and Assistants within a quadrant, co-ordinating induction, training and development programmes and the allocation of work.
Working with the SEND Operations Lead to develop best practice and provide quality assurance of Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP). Ensuring the team follow requirements in the SEND Code of Practice 2015, Essex Guidelines and maintain the CYP and their family at the heart of the process.
Deliver the assessment and review process for children and young people with SEND, for a dedicated caseload within a quadrant.
Responsible for securing appropriate educational provision (both within and out of the Authority) for all Essex CYP with an EHCP, within an agreed geographical area, in line with the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and legislative requirements.
Working collaboratively with partners in Health and Social Care to ensure their participation in the EHCP process and support direct individual work for the most complex situations.
Managing queries and complaints in collaboration with the Inclusion Partners and reporting upon progress, to ensure resolution in a timely, efficient and appropriate manner.
Progressing and resolving complex situations around CYP including mediation and refusal to assess meetings, with a particular emphasis on the needs of looked after children and children not accessing education. Preparing and presenting casework for submission to decision making panels.
Contribute to the preparation of papers for complaints, tribunal cases, Ombudsman enquiries and responses to letters from parents, MPs and Members to support senior managers.
Contribute to decision making processes within the quadrant, relating to initiation of EHCNAs, issuing of EHCPs and allocation of resources to EHCP.
The Experience You Will Bring
Educated to RQF level 4 (Diploma) or equivalent by experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge in relevant professional area.
Evidence of excellent leadership and behavioural skills, with management experience. Effective time management and prioritisation skills with the confidence to work autonomously and adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances/situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong working relationships which are collaborative and engender delivery.
Experience of successful dispute resolution through effective mediation and negotiation. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with an understanding of how to facilitate and mediate in situations which are perceived as challenging.
Evidence of thorough knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the authority’s statutory responsibilities.
Significant knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and with their families including ‘hard to reach’ families.
Significant experience of reviewing and quality assurance of Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) for children and young people.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
To read more about us please visit: Education
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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