Job Introduction
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to take on the role of Central Panel Lead (SEND Locality Lead) within Staffordshire’s SEND service.
You will play a central role in ensuring statutory compliance and improving consistency and timeliness in decision-making across the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) pathway.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and drive the development of a multi-agency Central Panel.
Initially, this is a 12-month opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to a more consistent and child-centred approach across the county.
Main Responsibility
You will be responsible for:
- chairing and managing EHCNA Central Panel meetings, leading on refusal to assess mediations, and supporting the Tribunals Team with appeals.
- central to ensuring statutory compliance and improving consistency and timeliness in decision-making across the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) pathway.
- working closely with the Pre-Statutory Team, educational settings, and families.
The Ideal Candidate
You will:
- bring substantial experience in SEND statutory processes, particularly around EHCNA decision-making, and demonstrate a strong understanding of the The Children and Families Act, SEND Regulations and SEND Code of Practice.
- be confident in leading complex discussions, managing multi-agency input, and navigating family engagement.
- demonstrate resilience, strategic thinking, and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Interviews will be scheduled for week commencing 29 September 2025.
Any questions or queries please contact Nadine Young nadine.young@staffordshire.gov.uk
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
Attached documents
