JOB DESCRIPTION
LOCATION: Statutory Assessment & Review Service
RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Manager
JOB PURPOSE
The person appointed will assist the Senior Manager with the organisation and administration of the Education Authority’s procedures for statutory assessment and review. The post holder will be responsible through the Senior Adviser to the Head of Service for the overall management of an area team’s activities including:
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Policy development, implementation and review;
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Managing and developing staff;
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Managing resources;
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Improving and building relationships and partnerships;
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Developing and revising procedures.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Organise, develop systems, procedures, processes and administrate the EA procedures for the formal assessment of pupil’s educational needs, in accordance with the requirements of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (NI) 2005, SEND Act 2016, Statutory Regulations, the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs and the supplements to the Code of Practice.
i. Statutory Assessment Procedure – Assessments and Statements
a) Co-ordinate and manage administrative procedures in relation to the statutory assessment of children with special educational needs.
b) Liaise with parents, Community Paediatricians, social services personnel, principals, teachers and educational psychologists in relation to assessment and statements.
c) Provide verbal and written advice on the statutory assessment procedure and advise parents and voluntary groups as to their rights in relation to the legislation. Develop good working relationships with parents, schools and support groups.
d) Ensure appropriate advice is sought in relation to an individual child’s assessment.
e) Prepare draft statements indicating pupils’ special educational needs and the provision and support required to meet such needs.
f) Prepare a note in lieu of a statement when a decision not to make a statement is made.
g) Take appropriate action including the negotiation and agreement of placement provision of specialist support, equipment, etc.arising from the drafting of a statement.
h) Supervise staff and administrative procedures relating to the statutory assessment procedure.
ii. Statutory Assessment Procedure – Amended Statements
a) Analyse professional and other advice in relation to a pupil’s special educational needs.
b) Negotiate and agree placements for pupils who require amended statements at transfer age, or any other age for whom a change in needs/provision is applicable.
c) Prepare amended statements and recommend and oversee that special provision is put in place.
iii. Statutory Assessment Procedure – Cessations
a) Take appropriate action to cease a statement.
iv. Statutory Assessment Procedure – Annual Reviews
a) Co-ordinate and manage the annual review procedure for pupils with statements of special educational needs in the EA area.
b) Liaise with parents, principals, educational psychologists, clinical medical officers, social workers, therapists, in relation to the annual review procedure.
c) Attend annual review meetings on behalf of the EA as required.
d) Take appropriate action as necessary arising from a change in a pupil’s needs and the provision required following an annual review.
e) Supervise staff and administrative procedures relating to the annual review process.
v. Statutory Assessment Procedure – Transition Plans
a) Liaise with Transitions Co-Ordinator in relation to Transition Plans
2. Team Co-ordination and Management.
a) Ensure that the team has an awareness of the corporate culture, values and processes.
b) Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff in accordance with their skills and abilities and the needs of the EA.
c) Manage the team to perform to their potential; promote their development and give support when required.
d) Identify the training needs of staff.
e) Ensure that staff appraisal procedures are implemented for the team in accordance with EA policy and procedures.
f) Monitor the work of team members, advise and assist as required. Induct new members of staff.
3. Tribunals
a) Prepare documentation for and represent the EA at tribunal hearings.
b) Seek a resolution to cases by negotiating with parents, school and other relevant professionals.
c) Liaise with the Education Authority’s solicitors on matters relating to tribunals.
4. Special Education Policy & Provision
a) Provide advice, guidance, training and support to EA Officers and members, schools, parents and other statutory and voluntary agencies ensuring awareness of trends and developments in special education and management.
b) Monitor staffing and pupil numbers within special schools and units in designated areas.
c) Collate information and statistics relating to the development of special education provision.
5. Other Duties
a) Represent the interests of EA at internal and external meetings.
b) Represent the EA on a number of forums as required.
c) Work with colleagues within a multi-disciplinary framework.
d) Assist the Senior Manager and Head of Statutory Assessment & Review Service to prepare and collate information for the Business Plan, the EA Corporate Plan and the Annual Report.
e) Advise the Senior Manager on any issues involving substantial impact on the provision of services and young people with special educational needs in the specified area.
f) Assist the Senior Manager in carrying out all duties connected with that post.
g) Deputise for the Senior Manager as required.
h) Such other duties, at the appropriate level, which the EA may from time to time allocate.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here
PERSON SPECIFICATION
| NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS |
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1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria. |
Section 1 – Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Method of Assessment |
| Qualifications/ Experience |
Hold a bachelor’s degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification and have two years’ demonstrable experience of: (a) working in collaboration with a wide range of key stakeholders; (b) delivering special education provision to meet assessed needs; OR Have five years’ demonstrable experience of: (a) working in collaboration with a wide range of key stakeholders; (b) delivering special education provision to meet assessed needs. AND Have two years’ experience of the management/supervision of staff. Have demonstrable experience of using Management Information Systems. |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Knowledge |
Knowledge of the requirements of legislation and statutory guidance as it relates to pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Other |
The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion. |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
Section 2 – Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage. The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Method of Assessment |
| Skills/Abilities |
In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to provide advice and guidance which is appropriate and fully consistent with legal requirements, EA policy and best practice. Ability to communicate concisely and effectively at all levels. Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload. Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development. |
Interview/Presentation |
| Values Orientation | Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here. |
Interview |
Section 3 – Desirable Criteria
Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
| Factor | Desirable Criteria | Method of Assessment |
| Experience | Demonstrable experience of contribution to improvement outcomes for pupils with identified SEN. |
Shortlisting by Application Form |
Our Values
Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer
