SEND & Alternative Provision Place Planning Officer
We have a new and exciting opportunity to join the Education Support team in a role encompassing SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Alternative Provision (AP) here at Lincolnshire County Council. Join us as our new SEND & AP Place Planning Officer and make a real difference by being part of our initiative to enhance support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to be educated and have their needs met in their local communities – in the right place, at the right time, as close to home as possible.
About the Role
Linked to our transformation programme, this is a brand new post and an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative and inclusive approach to driving forward the next phase of our Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy. Working across an ‘Outstanding’ Children's Services, you will be part of a well-respected and supportive team, working closely with a wide range of internal and external partners to maximise the effectiveness of new initiatives to support children with special educational needs and the Council’s ambition to place young people at their nearest school; enabling their needs to be met alongside reduced travel times and improved provision.
The main purpose of this role is to undertake all analytical work relating to the monitoring and forecasting of the need and capacity of statutory school age places for SEND and Alternative Provision. You will be working in collaboration with the Education Travel, SEND and Inclusion services and have responsibility for the SEND element of the annual School Capacity Survey (SCAP) submission to the DfE.
You will be providing an integrated approach to performance management, quality standards and service delivery. This role involves collating and manipulating large amounts of data to secure positive outcomes and inform decision making, so you will need to be detail orientated and have an accurate and structured approach, working within a fast-paced environment.
This is a fixed term role for 12 months. For internal applicants we will consider secondments. Employees who wish to apply for a secondment will require their manager's approval.
About You
You should be comfortable working with data and information so will need a high degree of competency with IT, to enable you to make evidence-based recommendations.
You will be required to provide expert advice and guidance to a variety of colleagues, so excellent communications skills, attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines will be essential.
This role involves working collaboratively with schools and services across the Council, so the capacity to rapidly establish robust and positive relationships is essential.
About Our Offer
Along with a competitive salary we are offering:
- A Contributory pension
- Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
- Flexible working policies
- Career progression opportunities
- A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
Further details about the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council are available here: Rewards and benefits – Lincolnshire County Council
If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role, then please contact Matthew Clayton, Head of Education Support, via email matthew.clayton@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Applications Close on 12th February and interviews will be held on 25th February in Lincoln.
We wish you the best of luck with your application!
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.