Statutory SEND Assistant Coordinator

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council 
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We believe in the power of potential. At Suffolk County Council, we celebrate difference and support everyone to thrive. As an Assistant Coordinator in the EHCNA Request Team, you’ll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work, contribute your ideas, and grow your career in a place that values you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities 

• Work closely with families, schools and professionals to gather the information needed to support Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) requests.
• Collate and organise information from a variety of sources, ensuring it is accurate, complete and ready for presentation to a multi-disciplinary panel.
• Build positive working relationships with parents, carers, educational settings, health colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Act as a key point of contact, responding to enquiries and providing updates throughout the assessment request process.
• Use data recording and case management systems to maintain accurate records and ensure information is stored securely and efficiently.
• Monitor and track requests, helping to ensure processes progress smoothly and within required timescales.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the SEND service to support effective decision-making and high-quality outcomes for children and young people.
• Contribute to continuous service improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance processes and the experience of families and professionals.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and dedicated team where your organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to build strong relationships will make a real difference. You'll be part of a service that is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, while being supported to develop your own skills and grow your career.

You will need 

• strong organisational skills and the ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload
• excellent communication skills, with confidence in building positive relationships with families, schools, professionals and colleagues
• the ability to gather, collate and present information clearly and accurately to support decision-making
• a keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records across a range of systems
• confidence using IT systems and databases, with the ability to learn new systems and processes
• a collaborative approach and enjoyment of working as part of a supportive team
• the ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism, discretion and empathy
• good problem-solving skills and the confidence to seek solutions when challenges arise
• a commitment to delivering high-quality services and achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and their families

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team 

The EHCNA Request Team works alongside families, schools and professionals to support the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment Request process. We are a supportive and collaborative team that values kindness, teamwork and continuous learning, with a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

We work in a flexible, hybrid way, with a minimum of two office-based days each week, providing opportunities to collaborate, learn from colleagues and build strong team relationships. Joining our team means becoming part of a welcoming and dedicated group of professionals who are passionate about making a positive difference for children, young people and their families across Suffolk.

Empowering Everyone 

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information 

Please contact Rhianna Rance (she/her) or Amy Lawrence (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach Rhianna by calling [phone removed] or emailing: [email removed] You can reach Amy by calling [phone removed] or emailing: [email removed]

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).  

1. Describe your experience of working collaboratively with professionals from different organisations or services. How did you build effective partnerships and contribute towards shared objectives?
2. Please tell us about your understanding of the needs of children and young people with SEND and their families. How would you ensure their views, wishes and aspirations remain central to decision-making and support planning?
3. Please provide an example of how you have used effective communication skills to support, advise or challenge others. How did you adapt your approach to meet individual needs and achieve a positive outcome?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.  

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page. 

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read ourguidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable. 

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You