We are looking for a SEND Administrative Assistant.

The post holder will provide professional and efficient administrative support to facilitate the day to day running of the Service and will make up part of the wider Business Services administration team undertaking statutory duties to support the SEND Case Work team. Operating the SEND data management system, keeping information up to date and progressing Education, health and care reviews is a key part of this role. Applicants must be able to work under pressure and be able to plan and prioritise workloads to meet deadlines and timescales. Attention to detail is key along with the ability to work quickly, accurately, and methodically through high volumes of work.

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. During a period of training more office based days could be required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO THIS POST:

• Liaising with parents and professionals for children with Special Educational Needs.
• Support SEND Caseworkers with the updating and issuing of Annual reviews of EHC Plans.
• To take responsibility for tracking a caseload for children/young people and reporting progress as required to the case worker.
• Take responsibility for requesting and pursuing all education, medical and social care advice relating to the EHC assessment process as directed by Case workers.
• Manage children/young people’s electronic files to ensure they are comprehensive, accessible and up to date.
• Support Case workers to ensure all reports are prepared and submitted in a timely manner for panels.
• Take responsibility for ensuring recommendations from panels are actioned and recorded with a clearly documented audit trail.
• Ensure all casework and recording is in line with quality assurance processes and procedural guidance.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of process and information on databases.
• Undertake a wide range of administrative duties in support of the team including
• receiving visitors
• answering telephones
• diary management
• production of reports and power point presentations
• minute taking
• Word processing, mail merges
• Photocopying

• Administration work relating to statutory assessment processes for children and young people including:

• Processing requests
• Initiating statutory assessments
• Requesting and collating advice from parents and professionals
• Sending meeting invites
• Consulting with education establishment for placements
• Issuing Draft and Final EHC Plans

Then candidates must have:

• Educated to NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.
• Experience of working in Special Education or an  Educational environment
• Office administration
• Providing administration support to a range of staff
• Customer Service
• Good listening and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Good organisation skills
• Excellent ICT skills using MS Office especially the ability to produce spreadsheets in Excel
• Experience of databases
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain all aspects of confidentiality

• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to service delivery to the highest quality/standards.
• Ability to:
  • Work under pressure
  • Work as part of a team
  • Self motivate
  • Use initiative
  • Take a flexible approach to work
  • Be methodical and pay attention to detail
• A genuine interest in young people and young people’s services