Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity until July 2027

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford 1 day per week, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs

The Role

You will be at the centre of ensuring young people with SEND have access to high-quality, person-centred pathways into education, training and employment. This role is about coordination and making things happen – from managing High Needs Funding processes to facilitating the Post 16 Opportunities Hub. You will work closely with providers, families and internal teams to keep everything on track, maintain data integrity, and ensure statutory timelines are met. Your ability to connect people, solve problems and keep processing running smoothly with directly influence positive outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood.

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Education

The Opportunity

Preparing for Adulthood is a new service, developed collaboratively between Children and Families, Education and Adult Social Care.  Preparing for Adulthood is recognised as a service in which young people with SEND can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse.  Working together with partners, delivering a range of early help, family support and effective interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future. 

A key function within the Preparing for Adulthood agenda, managing responsibility for the funding of effective post 16 further education and allocation from the Dedicated School Grant, to support development and employment opportunities for young people with SEND. 

Working collaboratively with partners, stakeholders and the voluntary sector to develop a range of training courses, internships and apprentices to facilitate sustainable employment. 

Accountabilities

• Responsible for management of the post 16 High Needs placement budget, including allocations and funding decisions, to enable young people with SEN to continue their studies in college, ensuring compliance with Essex County Council (ECC) and School and Early Years Finance (England) regulations.
• Responsible for developing guidance for High Needs funding, which is transparent and supported by all post 16 education providers, working collaboratively with Colleges across the County to ensure standard provision.
• Contribute to the development and ongoing review of contracts for post 16 education provision, to establish clear outcomes for delivery.

• Work collaboratively and innovatively with schools and colleges, to support discussion and decision making processes to achieve progressive and appropriate outcomes for young people with SEND.
• Lead for ECC in providing specialist knowledge and information on post 16 high needs funding to SEND Education teams, YPWD teams, FE Education providers and commissioners regarding appropriateness and compliance with statutory HNF regulations.
• Attendance at SEND  and CYPWD forums providing up to date post 16 sector information including funding, experience and knowledge in supporting of ECC funds and outcomes for SEND post 16 young people. 
• Support the development of Essex Further Education sector, to continually improve and develop in line with SEND Code of Practice, meeting ECC statutory duties and delivering the Preparing for Adulthood agenda.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining data and information to support evidence of service delivery, ensuring ECC commissioned college providers are delivering cost effective placements, matched against progression outcomes that meet finance statutory duties.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external partners, stakeholders, employers and the voluntary sector, to promote the aims of the preparing for adulthood agenda.  

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) or equivalent by experience within administration of high needs funding or, working with young people with SEND. 
• Evidence of continuing professional development, with expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Extensive knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014, including SEND Code of Practice and Preparing for Adulthood Agenda.  Knowledge of other legislation e.g. Care Act 2014 would be desirable.
• Extensive experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, including young people with SEND, families, Post 16 education providers, employers, education, health and social care.
• Evidence of collating, interpreting and analysing data from multiple sources with experience of managing a post 16 high needs education budget.
• Ability to develop new, innovative ways of working, with a solution focused outcome and experience of working in a complex environment.
• Strong leadership and behavioural skills with the ability to focus on results, forging a highly performing and motivated team from diverse backgrounds to achieve strategic objectives.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to develop rapport and engage with diverse groups of individuals and proven ability of proactively influencing, leading and delivering cultural and organisational change.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service.  The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate.  This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.  For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email jamielea.wallis@essex.gov.uk

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