Job Introduction
We are recruiting a committed and proactive Senior Keyworker to join Staffordshire’s SEND service, working in close partnership with the newly appointed Central Panel Lead (SEND Locality Lead).
You will play an integral role in the delivery of a robust and responsive Central Panel process, supporting statutory decision-making and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
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'll play a key role in facilitating multi-agency panel operations, engaging with schools, professionals, and services, and triaging requests to ensure timely and well-evidenced decisions.
You'll also be instrumental in supporting the resolution process, contributing to service improvements, and enhancing transparency and communication with families and settings.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of SEND service delivery in Staffordshire, and support the development of a fully functioning multi-agency Central Panel.
The Ideal Candidate
You'll have:
- experience of working within SEND services or related fields, with a strong understanding of the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) pathway.
- confidence in multi-agency working, excellent organisational skills, and a commitment to co-production and statutory compliance are essential.
“We’re happy to talk flexible working”
Any questions or queries please contact Nadine Young nadine.young@staffordshire.gov.uk
Interviews are planned for week commencing 29 September 2025.
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
