The Role

The Special Needs Assessment Service (SNAS) is expanding so we are seeking a number of new staff to work within the service.   

We are looking for Data and Finance Casework Assistants who support SEN Case Managers and other staff in the SNAS Service.

About the service

SNAS is responsible for children and young people with the most severe and complex special educational needs. The service administers the assessment process for those children and young people who may need an Education, Health and Care Plan to be issued. The service is also responsible for maintaining EHC Plans and ensuring that they are reviewed annually.

About the role

The Data and Finance Casework Assistant has a key focus on Data and Finance tasks. You will regularly produce key data on assessments and EHC Plans, both within the Council and externally. This will include statutory returns to the Department of Education and regular Freedom of Information requests.  You will also make payments to providers, such as out-of borough schools where pupils have been placed and travel assistance budgets to parents.

Additionally you will provide support in relation to the teams responsibilities. This includes answering calls from parents, schools and professionals from a variety of services including the NHS and Social Care, on behalf of Case Managers as they are often out of the office at meetings in schools.

You will also issue letters to parents, schools and professionals at the various stages of the assessment and EHC Plan process; send consultation letters to schools about pupil placements and assist in ensuring that the various statutory timescales for each part of the process are met.

The role also includes assisting with travel assistance applications from parents and providing a range of other administrative support, including logging emails and post received by the service. You will also be responsible for uploading information onto databases including Mosaic and Capita.        

The service’s work is both interesting and varied. It can be challenging at times, although rewarding.

Benefits

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include home working (dependent on service need), and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays.

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Richmond and Wandsworth are currently reviewing our pay, reward and benefits framework, in partnership with Trade Union colleagues. We are developing different options that make sure we have a fair and transparent system in place.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date:  11:59pm on Sunday 19th January 2020
• Shortlisting Date: Week commencing Monday 20th January 2020
• Interview Date: 27th January 2020

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality Statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils