SEND Officer - 6 opportunities available

Team: SEND - EHC Team Job Family: Providing - CBG8 Salary: £32,046 - £34,968 per annum pro rata Hours: 37 hours per week - 6 roles available Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per week. Contract Type: Hybrid - Permanent (5x roles) and 1 x Hybrid - Fixed term (maternity cover) for up to 12 months Closing Date: 21st September 2026 Interview Date: 7th October 2026 About the Role Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking SEND Officers to join the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Team within the Children and Families Directorate. The successful candidate will have proven experience working within the SEND Code of Practice, a sound understanding of SEND legislation and procedures, and experience working directly with children and young people with SEND. SEND Officers are a key part of a supportive and established team, playing a central role in ensuring effective service delivery. In this role, you will manage caseloads, including annual reviews and amendments, while working closely with Senior SEND Officers to ensure strong oversight and high-quality practice. This position also offers valuable opportunities for career progression and access to accredited training to support ongoing professional development. Main Duties Management of the monitoring and review of existing EHCPs, including amending and issuing EHCPs following a review and attending review meetings in complex cases. Oversight of the phase transfer process for pupils commencing the next stage of education. Ensuring accurate data and record keeping. Providing advice to schools, parents and professionals regarding statutory processes. Consulting with schools and supporting school admissions for pupils with an EHCP. Attending meetings and Local Authority Panels as required. Supporting and attending events and training regarding statutory processes for professionals and parents. Representing the SEND team as part of the wider Children’s Services Team. As a SEND Officer You Will: Have strong interpersonal skills. Maintain positive relationships with colleagues, families and professionals. Have strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work to meet legal deadlines. Be a problem solver. Be able to make fair informed decisions from evidence-based assessments. Be a Champion of SEND. Essential Requirements Please note that before applying, it is essential that you have: A strong background and good knowledge of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). A clear understanding of relevant legislation, including the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Children and Families Act 2014. A working knowledge of the annual review process. These are fundamental requirements for the role. Please ensure this information is clearly demonstrated in your application. About the EHC Team The EHC Team is an exciting, fast-paced and vibrant team. It’s a great time to join us – we pride ourselves on being a highly performing workforce which embraces a continual learning and developing culture. The successful applicant will have sound proven knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and SEND legislation and procedures, as well as a good understanding of the statutory EHC Needs process, including writing, reviewing and amending Education, Health and Care Plans in accordance with statutory guidance. Candidates will be expected to work in close collaboration with children, young people and their families, schools and setting staff, and other professionals in education, health and social care. Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. You will have a commitment to ensuring children and young people achieve positive outcomes in line with their aspirations and are supported to move successfully into adulthood. The EHC Team is responsible for carrying out statutory duties and processes linked to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with SEND aged 0–25. The team works with children, young people, parents and professionals to co-produce education, health and care plans and agree provision and educational placement. The fixed term role is being offered on a up to 12 month basis to cover a period of maternity leave, the role will cease when the period of leave ends. The Council cannot guarantee a minimum or maximum period of employment. Our Offer We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack . Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack. For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Linda Orr, Head of the EHC Team at . ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Safeguarding: Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records. To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline. Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI. All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered. Free information, advice and guidance into work or learning Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.