27 Full time Jobs in Chatham

Deputy Area Inclusion Lead (Senior EHC Coordinator - Post 14 Team)

(Ref: SEN/26/028/EM)

Directorate: People: Children and Adults

Department: Education and SEND

Salary: Range MPR5 Level A (£39,053 per annum)

Job Status: full time permanent

Hours: 37 per week

Location: Gun Wharf

Hybrid – Works part from Gun Wharf (3 days per week) and part from home.

Subject to BPSS Checks: Yes

Closing Date: 16th August 2026

We are seeking a committed, knowledgeable and experienced Senior EHC Coordinator (Deputy Area Inclusion Lead) to join our high‑performing and fast‑paced Post‑14 Inclusion Team. This is a key leadership role supporting the Area Inclusion Hub Leads (Team Managers) to ensure the statutory EHC needs assessment, Annual Review, and Preparation for Adulthood processes for young people from Year 9 to age 25 are delivered to the highest standards.

You will play a central role in ensuring Medway produces high‑quality, compliant and outcome‑focused EHCPs that effectively support successful transitions into further education, training, employment, and adulthood. You will also ensure effective and consistent practice is embedded across the team. This role requires excellent organisational skills, confidence in managing complex casework, strong leadership qualities, and an expert‑level understanding of SEND legislation and statutory processes, particularly in relation to post‑16 provision and transitions.

As Senior EHC Coordinator, you will provide supervisory support, quality assurance oversight, professional guidance and operational leadership within the Post‑14 team. You will work closely with young people, families, education and training providers, and health and social care partners to ensure a coordinated, person‑centred approach with a clear focus on preparation for adulthood outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Area Inclusion Hub Leads in overseeing the statutory EHC needs assessment and Annual Review processes, ensuring plans are timely, high‑quality, compliant, and focused on Preparation for Adulthood outcomes.
• Provide high‑level quality assurance for EHCPs and Annual Reviews, ensuring consistency, accuracy and best practice across the Post‑14 team, with a clear focus on education, employment, independent living, community inclusion, and health.
• Promote and model the effective use of the SEND case management system, ensuring high‑quality, accurate and timely record‑keeping.
• Lead on implementing and embedding the SEND framework and local processes for EHC needs assessments, transition planning and EHC plan development for young people aged 14–25.
• Identify training needs, support line managers with staff development, and deliver guidance or coaching as required, particularly in relation to post‑16 pathways and legislation.
• Provide supervisory support to EHC Coordinators, offering expert advice on SEND legislation, post‑14 pathways, and complex transition planning.
• Act as a key point of professional support to colleagues, families and partner agencies, promoting strong communication and effective multi‑agency working.
• Support the SEND service’s inclusion agenda by ensuring that decisions relating to education and training placements are appropriate, evidence‑based and aligned with young people’s longer‑term outcomes.
• Hold and manage a small caseload of complex cases, using your expertise to drive positive transition and adulthood outcomes.

What We Are Looking For

• Significant experience of SEND statutory processes, including EHC needs assessments, Annual Reviews, and post‑16 transition planning.
• A strong understanding of what constitutes a high‑quality, outcome‑focused EHCP, particularly in preparing young people for adulthood.
• Sound knowledge of post‑16 education, training pathways, and support available for young people with SEND.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including coaching, supporting and developing others.
• Excellent organisational, communication and analytical skills.
• Confidence in multi‑agency working and the ability to manage complex and sensitive conversations professionally.
• Thorough and up‑to‑date knowledge of the Children and Families Act (2014), SEND Code of Practice (2015), and associated legislation relating to young people aged 14–25.

The successful post holder will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Shortlisting will take place: w/c 17th August

Interviews will be held: TBC

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please contact Joanna Mahadoo, Strategic Head of Education, on 01634 332132

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Level A

SEND are seeking a Deputy Area Inclusion Lead to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Important Information-

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.

• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.

• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

• Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.