SEND Placements Officer

Grade G £35570 - £39481

Hours: 37

Contract: FTC- maternity cover

Interview date: 15th December

For further information about this role, contact: Lucy.Coupe@bolton.gov.uk

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

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The Role

This is a great time to join the SEND Assessment Service in Bolton as we are expanding our team to include a number of newly established roles. We know change is coming through the SEND Reforms and we are excited for the opportunities that this will bring. We want the right workforce in place to drive forward change.

We are proud to say that children and young people with SEND in Bolton typically have positive experiences and outcomes (Local Area SEND Inspection June 2024).

In this role, you will develop understanding of the needs of Bolton’s children and young people and support managers across SEND and Inclusion to identify gaps in services and improve the quality of services. You will also support SEND Officers with the identification and arrangement of appropriate school placements and educational provision for students with SEND whose needs cannot be met in local in borough provision on either a long term or temporary basis.

In Bolton we pride ourselves on our relationships. You will develop positive relationships with providers across the independent and alternative provision sectors. You will deliver on agreed aspects of the commissioning cycle, holding responsibility for overseeing the procurement and contract management of SEND commissioned placements within the aforementioned sectors. You will work closely with the SEND Quality Assurance Officer to monitor and evaluate commissioned placements, ensuring placements are compliant with statutory duties, deliver value for money and lead to the best possible outcomes for children and young people. You will monitor the attendance and progress of students in out of borough SEND placements, ensuring they are receiving the appropriate support and making good progress.

You will represent Bolton Council by taking an active role across Greater Manchester and Placements North West. You will also work with health and social care colleagues regarding the joint funding of placements, where appropriate.

About You

You will have a good understanding of the SEND framework, relevant legislation and the full range of SEND settings and placements available both within and outside the borough. You will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of out of borough specialist placements and provide support and challenge where necessary.

You will need understanding of commissioning and contracting arrangements and have the ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders to ensure value for money and the best outcomes for children and young people. You will demonstrate flexibility and creativity in reaching mutually agreeable solutions. You will have the ability to develop positive relationships with providers and stakeholders across education, health and social care. This role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills.

We know that working in SEND can be challenging. You will have resilience and the ability to work to a high standard when under pressure and have the ability to work under your own initiative as well as playing a vital role within the team. As such, excellent organisation and time management skills are essential to this role.

About Us

This is your opportunity to join us at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough.

Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents.

As an employer we want to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment, by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits, including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes. In addition, we offer a generous annual leave allowance, flexible work opportunities, access to a Pension Scheme, as well as a range of employee wellbeing and support services.

Our Values are really important to us, read all about them below, along with all our great staff benefits, the job description/person specification for the role and the important legal bits, and our Top Tips too.

Ready to apply? Then please click Apply and explain how you meet the points on the person specification. (use for open box or person spec points)

Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification.

This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. That means we will recognise your continuous or ‘unbroken’ service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving you access to our service-related benefits. Please see the home page of greater.jobs for more information.

For more information about working for Bolton Council, please see greater.jobs; for advice and support with your application, contact recruitment@bolton.gov.uk

Supporting Documents