Job Description:

We are recruiting a number of experienced EHC Needs Assessment Officers to join a Local Authority’s EHCNA team.

The role will focus on managing new Education, Health and Care needs assessments from initial request through to final decision. You will coordinate professional advice, draft high-quality EHCPs and work closely with families and partner agencies to ensure assessments are thorough, person-centred and completed within statutory timescales.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of EHC needs assessments, monitoring progress and addressing delays.
• Obtain and review advice from educational psychologists, health professionals, social care, education settings and families.
• Draft and amend EHCPs, ensuring Sections A–K accurately reflect the evidence, with clear outcomes and appropriately specified and quantified provision.
• Act as the main point of contact for parents, carers and young people, explaining the assessment process and providing regular updates.
• Prepare evidence and recommendations for Decision to Assess and Decision to Issue panels, implementing decisions promptly.
• Consult with education settings to support suitable placements and provision.
• Maintain accurate case records using systems such as Synergy.

Essential experience

• Previous experience managing statutory EHC needs assessments within a local authority SEND service.
• Demonstrable experience drafting EHCPs from professional assessment advice.
• Sound knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice and statutory assessment timescales.
• Experience working directly with families and coordinating input from education, health and social care.
• Strong written communication, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines across a busy caseload.

Experience using Synergy or a comparable SEND case management system would be advantageous.