Job Introduction
We're embarking on an ambitious transformation of Children’s and Families services and our vision is rooted in four core principles that underpin everything we do :
- Families first – network and community always
- Right help, right time – proportionate, timely and co-produced with children and families
- Whole-system responsibility for supporting children and families to be happy, healthy and safe
- Permanence as belonging from day one
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for talented, values-driven leaders who can champion these principles, inspire others and help shape the future of Children's and Families services in Staffordshire.
We want to create a more resilient, child-centred and future-focused system that enables children, young people and families to receive the right help at the right time.
Through this redesign, we are strengthening leadership, increasing capacity and creating clearer lines of accountability across our services. These changes will support high-quality practice, stronger partnerships and better outcomes for children and families, while ensuring we are well positioned to respond to national reforms and future challenges.
We have 1x 37hr permanent post and 1x 37hr 12 months fixed term post available.
Main Responsibility
We are looking for experienced and motivated Senior EHCP Co-Ordinators to join our newly established Alternative Education Team within Staffordshire SEND Service.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a specialist team supporting children and young people with some of the most complex and vulnerable educational circumstances across Staffordshire.
The team is responsible for coordinating Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes for children and young people who may be educated otherwise than at school, receiving alternative provision or who require highly personalised educational arrangements to meet their special educational needs.
As a Senior EHCP Co-Ordinator, you will take lead responsibility for managing complex casework, coordinating statutory SEND processes, working closely with families and professionals, and ensuring that children and young people receive appropriate educational provision that enables them to achieve positive outcomes.
You will play a key role in professional decision-making, problem-solving and partnership working, helping to deliver legally compliant, child-centred services that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
You will:
- Lead and oversee a defined area of the SEND statutory pathway, ensuring Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments and reviews are delivered in line with legislation and statutory guidance.
- Manage complex SEND casework, coordinating multi-agency input and working collaboratively with children, young people and families to achieve positive outcomes.
- Support SEND Team Leads and Deputy Team Leads with tribunal preparation, complaints, statutory requests, transport requests and external enquiries.
- Maintain high standards of quality assurance, performance monitoring and statutory compliance across SEND processes.
- Provide professional guidance, coaching and support to EHCP Co-ordinators and Assistant EHCP Co-ordinators, promoting consistent and effective practice.
- Analyse performance information, identify trends and contribute to service improvements that enhance outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking individuals who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and who can confidently manage complex situations with professionalism and empathy.
You will have significant experience of working within SEND services, education, children's services or a related field, alongside detailed knowledge of SEND legislation, the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. You will have experience of managing complex EHCP casework and statutory processes, with excellent communication and negotiation skills and the ability to work effectively with families and professionals. You will demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound judgement based on evidence and statutory guidance, and experience of chairing meetings and coordinating multi-agency working. You will be able to work independently while contributing positively to team objectives and have strong organisational skills, enabling you to manage competing priorities effectively.
Experience of working with children and young people accessing alternative provision, EOTAS arrangements or specialist educational pathways, along with experience of SEND Tribunal preparation and appeals. You will have knowledge of inclusion, attendance and alternative education legislation, as well as experience of supporting service improvement, training or mentoring colleagues.
The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:
- Experience of leading or championing a specialist area of SEND practice and supporting colleagues to deliver high-quality services.
- A strong understanding of SEND, disabilities and the impact on children, young people and families.
- Sound knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Experience of quality assurance, service improvement and using data to drive positive outcomes.
- Excellent partnership-working skills and the ability to build positive relationships with families and professionals.
- Experience of supervising, developing and supporting staff performance and wellbeing.
Interviews will be Monday 30 November.
If you'd like to discuss the role further, 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.
Please note: The minimum essential criteria in the ideal section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes.
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.
