EHC Practitioner

Job Purpose

• To co-ordinate the statutory process for Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs assessments for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, across the age range of 0-25. Ensuring that all statutory timeframes in the assessment process are met and delivered on time, as well as writing and co-producing Education, Health and Care Plans with children and their families.

• Responsible for a case load of children and young people that have EHCP’s and ensuring that the needs of these children and young people are appropriately met in their provision. This includes ensuring they have appropriate support, resources and placements at early years settings, schools and colleges to enable them to achieve their maximum potential for learning.

• To assist the EHC Team Manager, the EHC Area Lead’s and the Senior EHC Co-ordinator in the delivery of efficient systems to ensure that statutory processes are carried out within required timelines, and information is recorded accurately on the LA’s database.

• To support the statutory annual review process of Education, Health & Care plans and attend person centred review meetings at key transition points.

Specific Accountabilities of the Role

1. Undertake statutory needs led EHC assessments in accordance with the Children and Families Act 2014, and the SEND Code of Practice 2015, in conjunction with contributions from children, young people and their families, and other professionals across education, health and social care as appropriate within statutory timescales.

1. To plan and facilitate person centred multi-agency meetings, including acting as chairperson at meetings that agree a draft EHC Plan and indicative personal budget, if appropriate.
2. Construct and develop EHC Plans from approved assessments to achieve stated objectives and outcomes in relation to the needs of individuals, reflecting as closely as possible service users’ aspirations.

1. Construct and develop Multi-Agency Plan (MAP) of Support if assessment determines support should be provided from universal and targeted services.

1. As the named Coordinator, to be the main point of contact for all service users, including families and schools, ensuring their full involvement in meetings and development of the EHC Plan.

1. To work closely with all professionals, including Key Workers, to ensure their knowledge and experience informs the EHC plan, or MAP of support.

1. To provide written briefs and oral representation to the EHC and other Panels as required.

1. Undertake the on-going co-ordination, monitoring and annual review of EHC Plans to ensure the service user is receiving the appropriate level of support for their identified needs agreeing to maintain, amend or discontinue of the Plan as appropriate.

1. To attend Key Statutory Annual Reviews for pupils with EHC plans providing advice on SEN issues and provision.

1. Maintain and update all relevant records and forms in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham policies and procedures for effective working, efficient audit and clarity of information for management relating to performance targets and service provision.

1. To work sensitively and proactively with families, ensuring that they receive appropriate information and are aware of their rights under appropriate legislation.

1. To assist the Deputy Team Manager / Senior EHC Co-ordinators in action arising from appeals to SEND Tribunal or complaints and to do so promptly within timescales.

1. To attend regular supervision to ensure casework progression in accordance with the decisions of the relevant LA Panels including EHC Panel and Complex and Additional Needs Panel.

1. Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs.

1. Ensure that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons, and to comply with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety within the department.

1. Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post

Statutory requirements

Actively adhere to the Statutory EHC needs assessment process and other associated case work in SEND.

This post carries a requirement to have an Enhanced DBS check for children.

General Accountabilities and Responsibilities 

Customer Care

Provide services that are fair and accessible to all, challenging existing practices that support the traditional culture and promote the Customer First proposition across the Council

Ensure equality of opportunity in service standards and delivery.

Listen and respond to every service user and their families and carers in a way that demonstrates courtesy, respect and understanding of their individual needs.

Maintain clear communication with service users, families and carers concerning expectations and progress.

Take responsibility for resolving queries and responding to requests within service standards and timeframes.

Project management

Undertake assigned projects, ensuring that agreed outcomes are delivered on time, within budget and to the expected standard.

General Accountabilities and Responsibilities (All roles)

• Ensure compliance with appropriate legislation, Council Policies, the Council Constitution (including Contract Rules, Financial Regulations and Rules, Employment Procedure Rules, Employees’ Code of Conduct), Information Security Policies, Social Media Policy and other requirements of the Council.

• Ensure high standards of records management and assume responsibility for all information assigned to the post.

• Promote the development of a high quality individual need led service, to comply at all times with the Council’s policies and procedures, particularly those regarding Data Protection, Equalities and Diversity and Health and Safety.

• Ensure compliance with and actively promote the Council’s Equalities and Diversity policies and strategies and comply with the Equality Act 2010.

• Ensure compliance with and actively promote Health and Safety at work legislation, Council and Service H&S policies and procedures.

• Comply with the competencies and standard requisites agreed by the Council as relevant to your post.

• Comply with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR 2018) (all employees of the Council will not disclose or make use of, for their private advantage, any information held on manual or computer records, which are not available to the public, however acquired).

• Take responsibility for continuing self-development and participate in training and development activities.

Any further questions please contact Mia for more information.