SEN Quality Assurance Manager Project

56 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• To manage and lead the SEND Quality Assurance Framework and processes in ensuring high quality Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/ or Disabilities (SEND).
  
• To support the SEND Service Manager in reporting on the quality of EHCPs to the SEND Improvement Board through audits and findings of the Quality Assurance Group.
  
• To deliver training and tools to the SEND Service regarding coproduction keeping the child/young person at the heart of a personcentred approach and always having regard to the voice of the child/young person and the aspirations of the family.
  
• To develop and maintain partnerships with families schools and partners in Health and Social Care to ensure shared understanding throughout the statutory process as well as relevant and highquality advice. To challenge responsibly and support where standards are not met.
  
• To lead on the consideration of and response to complaints relating to the SEND Service liaising with others to ensure that concerns are dealt with appropriately and at the earliest possible stage.
  

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• To oversee the processes within the Quality Assurance Framework continually improving the quality of advice provided for and quality of issued EHCPs following assessment and review.
  
• To be responsible for monthly managers audits reporting on the data from these and identifying any actions and training required to ensure continual improvement.
  
• To be responsible for the half termly multi agency Quality Assurance Group ensuring members are equipped to contribute to thematic discussions sharing the minutes and monitoring agreed actions including to external channels.
  
• To create effective training and tools which specifically address the learning from the audit process contributing to individual and service improvements.
  
• To devise a quarterly report on the progress on all quality assurance measures supporting the SEN Service Manager in briefing to senior Council leaders.
  
• To provide guidance and training to the SEN Service schools/ education settings and other statutory partners including Health and Social Care to ensure that all statutory processes across assessments and reviews are understood and supported to be delivered within expected standards and timescales.
  
• To represent the SEN Service in continual collaboration with parent/ carer groups and independent advisory services ensuring that an ethos of coproduction is evident throughout all processes.
  
• To monitor and report on feedback from parent/carers through forms surveys and anecdotal evidence from the coproduction process.
  
• To act as the first point of contact for all complaints received by the SEN Service and ensure the effective and timely response to these. This includes meetings with complainants to explore their concerns and explain the options available to them as well as at times allocating work to colleagues to ensure adherence to timescales.
  
• Record monitor and continually review the processes and outcomes of complaints as well as feedback from the complainants reporting on this regularly to the SEN Service Manager.
  
• Actively contribute to the council s priorities and outcomes in a way that promotes a one organisation approach.
  
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues stakeholders and communities to ensure the Council and the directorate strategic priorities are effectively implemented.
  
• Promote equality among all staff and ensure that services are delivered in a nondiscriminatory way that is inclusive of all disadvantaged groups.
  
• Support organisational change and learning following and implementing appropriate systems of selfdevelopment communication and engagement quality measures monitoring and review in delivering the functions of the role.
  
• Promote sustainability including encouraging a culture of innovation and accountability amongst all Council staff.
  
• To deputise for the SEN Service Manager as required including SEND Panel on a regular and defined basis liaison with the Parent Carer Forum and Parents Advice Centre liaison with other Council and NHS managers.
  
• To support the management of designated cases where leadership skill and experience is required. Including meeting with parents to resolve complex cases mindful of the confidential and sensitive issues involved.
  
• To engage professionals from other services and agencies in quality assurance processes including the Quality Assurance Group.
  
• To engage with parents/ carers and young people sensitively and appropriately in resolving complaints.
  
• To ensure the performance of the SEND teams meets statutory requirements and performance targets.
  
• To maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job and participate in appropriate training/development activities including the council s My Annual Review scheme.
  
• Ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the council s policies and procedures Code of Conduct and relevant regulations and legislation.
  
• To comply with the council s equal opportunities and diversity policies ensuring anti discriminatory practice within the service area.
  
• To undertake additional duties that may arise from time to time commensurate with the grade of the post.
  

Skills/Experience:

• Administrative/office procedure.
  
• An extensive knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the associated SEND Code of Practice.
  
• Timescales and requirements in responding to complaints FOI and SAR requests.
  
• An uptodate understanding of proposed changes in developments in special needs.
  
• The context and challenges facing Local Authorities.
  
• Quality assurance frameworks and methodology.
  
• High level of verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Professional qualification or relevant professional within education.
  
• Experience of managing a range of administrative functions and systems in a multidisciplinary environment.
  
• Experience of working with children/ young people and their families in resolving complaints and complex cases.
  
• Experience of developing processes and procedures for measurable improvement in a complex and challenging environment.
  
• Experience of interpreting and presenting information to a variety of audiences including senior stakeholders.
  
• Takes action to improve team culture and improves relationships across the council and with partners to achieve the best outcomes.
  
• Facilitates the change required for the team and others to be connected to ongoing service requirements.
  
• Takes accountability for delivering clear goals and targets whilst setting high standards for self and others.
  
• Gives others the space to take positive risks whilst being on hand to provide support and guidance.
  
• Makes changes in the team to improve customer service and to improve customer satisfaction.
  
• To comply with the requirement to carry out a DBS check on this role.
  

Additional Information:

• The closing date: 09/10/24 @18:00.