Statutory SEND Lead Coordinator

You'll take a lead role in coordinating complex statutory SEND processes, supporting high-quality professional practice and helping colleagues and partners achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. This is an opportunity to use your knowledge, leadership skills and commitment to inclusion to make a lasting difference. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action. Your role and responsibilities In this varied and rewarding role, you'll provide professional leadership and oversight across statutory SEND work, while managing your own complex caseload. You'll support colleagues to make informed decisions, maintain high standards and work effectively with children, young people, families and partner agencies. You will:

• Manage a complex caseload, coordinating statutory SEND processes in line with the SEND Code of Practice, Children and Families Act 2014 and associated statutory guidance.
• Provide clear information, advice and guidance to children, young people, families, colleagues and partner agencies throughout statutory SEND processes.
• Prepare, maintain and quality assure Education, Health and Care Plans, statutory records and reports, ensuring they are accurate, timely and outcome focused.
• Provide professional oversight, consultation and guidance to colleagues managing complex cases.
• Provide line management, supervision, mentoring and professional support to colleagues, helping to develop confident and consistent SEND practice.
• Lead effective partnership working with education, health, social care and other agencies to coordinate support, resolve issues and achieve positive outcomes.
• Identify, manage and escalate risks, safeguarding concerns, complaints and barriers to progress where appropriate.
• Use quality assurance, performance information, feedback and direct observation of practice to support continuous service improvement.
• Represent the service at multi-agency meetings, statutory decision-making forums and other professional settings when required.
What to expect We believe it's important to be open about the realities of the role. This is a fast-paced position in which you'll balance your own complex caseload with professional leadership and support for colleagues. You may need to make or support difficult decisions, respond to safeguarding concerns, manage differing professional views and help resolve situations where families or partners are anxious or dissatisfied. You'll need to remain calm, analytical and solution-focused while ensuring statutory duties, legal timescales and quality standards are met. You'll also need the confidence to challenge appropriately, provide clear professional guidance and escalate concerns when necessary. In return, you'll be part of an experienced and collaborative service where colleagues work together, share knowledge and continually improve outcomes for Suffolk's children, young people and families., If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we would still appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. The team The Statutory SEND Service is responsible for delivering the Local Authority's duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice. The team works closely with education, health and care partners to help ensure children and young people receive the support they need to achieve positive outcomes. You'll join experienced and supportive colleagues who understand both the rewards and challenges of the role. We work collaboratively, share knowledge and support one another to ensure children, young people and families receive the best possible service. As a Lead Coordinator, you'll play an important role in supporting colleagues, strengthening practice and driving high-quality outcomes across the service. Whether you're speaking with a family, working with a school or contributing to a statutory process, you'll know that your work is helping make a genuine difference to children's lives. This is a hybrid role, meaning you can work from both home and the office. There is a requirement to spend at least 40% of your working time in the office, depending on service needs., This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-hybrid

We're looking for someone who combines strong statutory SEND knowledge with the ability to lead, influence and support others. You will need:
• A suitable professional qualification at Level 5, or equivalent knowledge and experience in a relevant area of work.
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, Children and Families Act 2014 and associated statutory guidance.
• Relevant experience of working directly with children, young people and families, including those with complex needs or where safeguarding concerns exist.
• Experience of managing complex work, analysing information, applying professional judgement and working within statutory timescales.
• Experience of supervising, coaching or mentoring colleagues and supporting the development of high-quality professional practice.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to advise, motivate, negotiate, influence and appropriately challenge colleagues and partners.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work effectively with families, schools, professionals and partner agencies.
• The confidence to chair or contribute constructively to multi-agency meetings and help resolve complex or challenging situations.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan ahead, manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records.
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are central to decision-making.
  
  Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the questions below, using no more than 400 words per question. You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word). Please describe your experience of coordinating complex statutory SEND work. How did you apply legislation or statutory guidance, manage competing priorities and ensure high-quality outcomes for the child or young person?
• Tell us about a time when you supervised, coached or professionally supported a colleague who was managing a complex situation. How did you provide oversight, challenge or guidance, and what difference did your involvement make?
• Give an example of when you brought families and professionals from different agencies together to resolve a complex issue or reach a decision. How did you manage differing views and keep the child or young person at the centre of the process?
• Describe a time when you identified a risk, safeguarding concern or significant weakness in practice. What action did you take, how did you escalate or manage the concern, and what was the outcome?
  
  As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day