Location
Romford, London Borough of Havering

Hours
Full Time (details not specified)

Salary
Grade 7 (£43,680 - £48,003 per annum)

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Havering's Assessment & Placement Service, part of the wider SEND and Alternative Provision Service. The service manages statutory processes relating to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and has recently expanded, offering strong support, development, and career progression opportunities.

The Case Officer (Vulnerable Pupils) is responsible for direct oversight and case management of a defined cohort of children and young people with EHCPs who are particularly vulnerable due to the complexity of their needs and circumstances. This includes children and young people who are educated other than at school (EOTAS), without a school place or at risk of placement breakdown, subject to complex safeguarding, attendance or health-related risks, or requiring bespoke or non-standard provision arrangements.

The role demands a high level of professional judgement, autonomy, and accountability within the statutory SEND framework to ensure lawful, timely, and high-quality decision-making that improves outcomes for children and young people while managing legal, financial, and reputational risks to the Council.

Although this role does not include line management responsibilities, the Case Officer is a key professional within the service, providing expert oversight of complex cases and acting as a point of reference for colleagues and managers.

Joining Havering's SEND and Alternative Provision Service offers:
- A friendly, supportive team of around 30 people within a larger 120-strong service
- An excellent induction package and dedicated business support
- Access to cutting-edge AI tools to support productivity and wellbeing
- Regular supervision and protected Continuing Professional Development time, including Havering's '10 Days of Learning'
- A balanced approach to home/flexible working and team collaboration
- Easily accessible workspaces with excellent transport links including the Elizabeth Line
- High quality IT equipment and responsive IT support

There is flexibility on start dates. An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.

Experience
Experience working with vulnerable children and young people, ideally within the education system or SEND context. Knowledge of statutory SEND frameworks and EHCP processes is highly desirable.

About you
You will have a passion for supporting vulnerable children and young people, strong written and oral communication skills, and be highly organised. You should be able to exercise professional judgement and work autonomously while collaborating effectively with colleagues and managers.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or experience related to SEND, education, social care, or a related field are preferred but not explicitly stated. A commitment to ongoing professional development is expected.