Interview With an EHCP Coordinator: Addressing the Growing Demand for EHC Plans
02 Oct, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How EHCP Coordinators support children with SEND, families and educational settings.
- Ways to address the growing demand for EHC plans and better support the needs of children and young people with SEND.
- How to find and apply for the best EHCP Coordinator jobs.
The role of an EHCP Coordinator is varied but their main focus is to facilitate the process of creating and managing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).
Since EHCPs were introduced in 2014, the number of plans in place and the number issued has increased each year. According to the Department for Education, the number of EHC plans in place as of January 2024 increased by 58,914 (11.4%) from January 2023.
Katie Hassan began her career as a Teacher and slowly took on additional responsibilities, finding herself supporting SEND children and their families. Over the past 12 months, Katie has worked as an EHCP Coordinator, managing the backlog of annual reviews and overseeing a caseload of post-14 children and young people.
In this interview with Katie we uncover how an EHCP Coordinator supports parents and educational settings, and ensures all statutory obligations are met.
Tell us about your career journey so far
I have wanted to work in education from a young age. My journey started in 2015 when I graduated from University and followed my ambition of becoming a primary school Teacher. Teaching was always my dream and it felt fantastic to have achieved that after lots of hard work.
I undertook other responsibilities alongside teaching such as leading curriculum subjects, supporting trainee Teachers and leading a year group. These were great opportunities and I worked with many different people. I will always be thankful for the trust that was put in me at the very start of my career.
However, teaching and holding various responsibilities came at a cost. I was working pretty much 7 days a week; it was all I thought about and ultimately it took over my life. When the Covid-19 pandemic came, it completely changed my perspective and my job, as it did for many people.
Alongside this, I had many personal changes in my life and so, for the first time in years, I had time on my hands where I didn’t have to think about my usual teaching responsibilities. It was when I returned to the classroom in 2020/2021, I realised I needed time-out to consider my next move. I applied for over 30 jobs outside of teaching and was very disheartened when my applications were always rejected. All I seemed to be offered was teaching jobs!
I was offered an interview as a SEND Officer for the local authority I lived in at the time. When I got the job, I absolutely loved it. It was a completely different way of working, but I soon realised I had many transferable skills. It felt great to support families through challenging times in a more personal way than I could as a Teacher.
I was also able to build strong relationships with schools and I had the added bonus of personally understanding the pressures they were under. Eight months later, I entered the world of interim SEND Casework, the area I’m working in now. So far, I do not see myself turning back to teaching, although I always say, never say never…
What does your role consist of?
My role consists of supporting families through the statutory assessment process, when they feel their child would benefit from an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) due to their Special Educational Needs.
I gather advice from various professionals during the assessment, write an EHCP and then use this to consult with schools that are parental preference to ask if they can meet that child’s needs. I also hold a caseload of children and young people who currently have an EHCP.
I work with a wide range of children and families, and may take part in annual reviews where I update a child’s EHCP. I also support families and schools where placements may be breaking down and where alternative provision may be required.
Some children may be looked after by social care or may have been out of education for some time for various reasons. I support families where their child may have a bespoke package of education (EOTAS). Alongside this, I attend the usual team meetings, answer emails, take phone calls and provide support with general queries. It is a busy yet varied role!
How do you keep up-to-date with changes in the Education industry?
LinkedIn is a fantastic resource and I follow various organisations such as IPSEA, Special Needs Jungle and the Department for Education. My husband also works in education, so we tend to share information with each other! It’s amazing what networking with other people can do for your own development.
What’s the most valuable lesson that you’ve learned in your career?
In both teaching and working within local authorities, I have learnt many things. The most important lessons I would share are:
- Always put the child or young person first in whatever you do.
- Remain and uphold your professionalism. Think to yourself ‘Would I be happy if this email was read out in court?’ If not, go back and change it!
- Under promise and over deliver. I don’t like to let people down, whereas if you take this approach, you allow yourself breathing space and boundaries are in place.
- Clear communication is key, whether it’s face to face or virtually. No one wants to feel forgotten about, especially parents. For them, this is not a job or something they can close down at 5pm, this is their 24/7 and we have to remember we’re dealing with real people and their lives.
What is your favourite aspect of your role as a SEND Casework Officer/EHC Plan Writer?
I love getting to know children and families. I have met some incredible children over the years, and I am always amazed at how resilient they are when they are faced with such challenges. Some parents I have worked with have been so thankful for the help I have given them and I love to know that I have made a difference to someone’s education and life prospects.
What challenges or obstacles have you faced in your career?
When I moved from teaching into SEND Case Officer work, I had a lot to learn as it was the first time I had ever worked somewhere that wasn’t a school and where I didn’t teach! The statutory assessment process can be confusing to understand alongside knowing the responsibilities that the local authority must uphold.
It was a great learning experience, but I didn’t like feeling I didn’t know my stuff! In teaching, the main obstacle was trying to get everything done, whilst dealing with the never-ending pressures and scrutiny running alongside it.
Reform in the SEND sector continues to be a huge topic of discussion. How have things changed or progressed in the SEND sector since the start of your career?
There has been an increased demand for EHCPs. I feel the number of children experiencing Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA) has risen and it seems we’re beginning to realise that school is not always the best method of education for some. Others need a more bespoke package to meet their individual needs.
Mental health amongst children and young people is more of a focus since I entered the classroom. The charity Mind shared that 1 in 5 young people aged 5 to 16 experience a mental health problem, and in 2017, it was 1 in 9 young people. Mental health referrals are the highest they have been. This is a worrying trend and I fear things are not going to get better without serious intervention.
What changes would you like to see to better support the needs of children and young people with SEND?
I would like to see more mental health support readily available for children and young people and for there not to be such huge waiting times for this. I would also like to see the narrative around EBSA change and for the Government and other professionals to recognise that the education system is not fit for purpose for all young people. A more holistic, flexible approach is required for some children and young people with SEND.
As always, the more we work with families and support them, the better outcomes for that child. I feel that resources in the community and opportunities for parents to access support should not be taken away due to budget cuts. We need local community support and resources for our most vulnerable families.
What advice would you give to anyone considering a career as a SEND Casework Officer or an EHC Plan Writer within a local authority?
I would recommend having a look on the IPSEA website and undertaking a course so that you can gain an understanding of the laws around the statutory assessment process and what responsibilities local authorities and schools have. Then, apply and go for it! If you are keen to learn, can communicate well and want to support families, then you have the starting blocks for a successful career.
What’s next for you? Any future aspirations or upcoming projects?
I am content with the work I am doing at this time, but I am always open to new opportunities – I am an avid learner at heart, so I am always thinking about what’s next! I like projects and problem solving, so something I can get my teeth into and fix. Making a difference always suits my skill set and keeps me busy.
What do you hope to contribute to the special education field?
I want to be able to provide support to our most vulnerable children and families and get the best possible outcomes for them.
EHCP Coordinator jobs
If you’re searching for your next EHCP Coordinator job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
If you are interested in a career as an EHCP Coordinator or if you’re preparing for an interview, check out these EHCP Coordinator interview questions and answers, and the benefits of a national EHCP template. Discover more perspectives from EHCP Coordinators, including continuous learning and professional growth and more about understanding EHC plans.
Struggling to recruit EHCP Coordinators?
As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs.
If you’re struggling to recruit, we have exclusive access to some of the most experienced EHCP Coordinators in the UK.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- South of the UK - Richard Shorrock
- Midlands & North of the UK - Adam Zyda
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If you work in the healthcare sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
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