Job Description
Job Title: / Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)/ High Needs Coordinator
Department: / Additional Support Department
Grade: / Point 38-41, Band 7 SFCA scale - £30,261-32,635per annum pro rata. Actual salary: £22,082.35
Hours: / Part Time -30 hours, 0.81 FTE (term time plus 2 weeks- 41 weeks a year)
Responsible to: / Head of School (Student Support)
This job description complements that relating specifically to the post and Conditions of Service as laid down in SFCASupport Staff Handbook. These may be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post holder in the light of any changes in the requirement and priorities within the College.
Additional Support Department
Additional Support at Varndean College is a large vibrant department. The team support students individually in 1-to-1 meetings, in small groups and in class. Our students have issues ranging from dyslexia, dyspraxia and literacy difficulties through to more complex learning needs. We have a number of students on the autistic spectrum, some of whom require more intensive support. We also have students who need help with the physical aspects of their studies, such as note-taking and organisation, as well as those who need help to access their curriculum.
The ethos of our Additional Support team is that the student is supported rather than support being based in a particular subject area.
Main Purpose of Role:
To provide an effective service for students with identified learning difficulties and disabilities.
To create a meaningful transition opportunities for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) into college), whilst proactively responding to the changing governmental strategies and policies for this area.
As the EHCP Co-ordinator you will maintain relationships with existing partners and develop new initiatives to support young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in the transition from college to independent or supported living and employment – or higher education.
You will manage learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), PFAs and students with high support needs (non EHCP) engaging with learners, their parents/carers and any associated external stakeholders and agencies including the statutory annual review cycle. You will act as professional on behalf of Varndean College, collating information gathered from tutors, and other education support functions associated with an individual learner.
You will be required to work with groups of learners and individuals, as well as other stakeholders (school teachers, head teachers, tutors, support staff, families, medical professionals, carers, and others).
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
  • To take lead on all disability issues in relation to ECHPs, PFA and learners with high level support needs delegating where appropriate.
  • Manage the caseload of statutory annual reviews of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring that statutory timelines and associated requirements are adhered to.
  • To createmeaningful transition opportunities for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) into college), proactively responding to the changing governmental strategies and policies for this area. (Working alongside Additional Support Operational Manager)
  • Respond to Local Authority consultation for individual placement requests.
  • Actively drive awareness and inclusion of learners with SEND and EHCPs across all curriculum areas, including supporting tutors with differentiated planning for learning. (Working alongside Additional Support Operational Manager).
  • Monitor the impact and effectiveness of SEND transition out of Varndean College, including data analysis relating to destinations, value added attendance and achievement.
  • Produce and monitor transition plans with clear and realistic progression opportunities. (Working alongside Additional Support Operational Manager).
  • Liaise with students, families/carers, and college staff to assess and monitor the implementation of the EHCP plans and support for high needs students.
  • Lead on and when required facilitate EHCP annual reviews.
  • Communicate adjustments and progress on outcomes resulting from EHCP reviews to the designated Local Authority.
  • Work within statutory timelines to ensure that reviews of EHC plans are timely, robust and support each young person’s aspirations towards adulthood.
  • Communicate with to families/carers where appropriate. This may include briefing, training, forums or organising multi-agency support. (Working alongside Additional Support Operational Manager).
  • Accurately maintain individual learner records.
  • Actively seek, record and act upon feedback from learners, parents/carers and other stakeholders for EHCP, PFA and high need students.
  • Proactively liaise with the wider Additional Support team to ensure that additional learning support requirements are accurately identified, allocated and costed in relation to EHCP, PFA, and high needs students.
  • Act as a key contact for young people, parents/carers, schools, local authorities and other stakeholders for EHCP, PFA and high needs students..
  • Be aware of, work within and respond to national changes in policy, guidelines, regulations and legislation relating to SEND (Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice 2014) and reasonable adjustments (Equality Act 2010). (Working alongside Additional Support Operational Manager).
  • Cover for Additional Support Operational Manager when they are out of college.
  • Actively contribute and support the departmental Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Undertake continuous professional development.
  • Undertake other duties as determined by the developing nature of the service and the Head of School with responsibility for Student Support.
General
  • Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and the welfare of students, child protection, equality and diversity, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
  • Promote the College’s equal opportunities and diversity policy,support difference and ensure students have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
  • Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
  • Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
  • Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
  • Assist with the supervision of students out of lesson times where necessary, including break and lunchtime.
  • Accompany teaching staff and students on trips, visits and out of college activities as required
  • Attend Open Evenings as required, for which you will be paid overtime.
  • Maintain records of activities undertaken.
  • Undertake such other duties as the Principal may request within reason.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties of the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a re-evaluation of the grading of the post.

January 2017

Person Specification
Job Title:EHCP Coordinator
Essential / Desirable
Relevant Experience /
  • Work with young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
  • Experience of multi-agency liaison
  • Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and section 3 of the Children and Families Act (2014)
  • Knowledge of the Further Education sector
  • Knowledge of additional learning support (ALS) funding claim processes and funding audit requirements
  • Teaching experience preferably with young people aged 16-19
  • Knowledge of funding streams and sources relating to Additional Learning Support
/
  • Knowledge of transition processes in schools
  • Knowledge and/or experience of person centred planning techniques to support transition
  • Knowledge of current assistive technology available to support learners with special educational needs and disabilities

Qualifications & Training /
  • A recognised teaching qualification/qualified teacher statusHND / Degree or other professional qualification equivalent
  • GCSE grade C English and Maths or equivalent
/
  • Awareness of SEN Code of Practice
  • Post-graduate qualification at or equivalent to Level 7, including at least 100 hours relating to individual specialist assessment (eg. PAPAA)
  • Knowledge of issues relevant to education and disability

Abilities /
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to negotiate progression opportunities for students
  • Ability to work independently and use own initiative, making decisions as required
  • Excellent organisation, time management and presentation skills
  • Able to work under pressure to extract key information and exercise diplomacy and professionalism at all times
  • Flexibility and responsiveness to needs and requests

Other requirements /
  • Ambitious in wanting the very best outcome for VC learners
  • Committed to continuously improving for the benefit of our learners
  • Receptive to new ideas and learns from failures as well as successes
  • Willingness to participate in further training and development opportunities offered by the College
  • Willingness to maintain confidentiality on all student and College matters
  • Enthusiasm for working with young people
  • An understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues
  • Commitment to continuing professional development

VarndeanCollege has a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts are subject to Enhanced Disclosure Clearance through the Criminal Records Bureau. Please note, candidates’ suitability to work with young people will be explored at interview.