In this blog, you will learn:
About the day-to-day role of a SEND Case Officer and EHC Plan Writer, including their thoughts on the challenges of meeting deadlines and coordinating support.
About the rising number of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans and what this professional believes it means for SEND services.
How to find and apply for the best SEND Case Officer jobs.
According to data from the Department for Education, the number of children and young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans increased by 10.8% from 2024 to more than 638,700 in 2025.
This increase shows a growing need for support for children and young people with SEND, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
We recently spoke with a SEND Case Officer and EHC Plan Writer to understand her perspective on this escalation and the changing landscape of SEND support. With over 20 years experience in the education sector, this SEND professional has seen progress, especially in how professionals recognise autism in young girls and apply clearer diagnostic criteria.
In this interview, she emphasises the importance of collaboration across education, health and care services and supporting children and young people with additional needs through the EHCP process.
From meeting tight deadlines to delivering results that drive positive outcomes, this professional offers valuable insights into the challenges and responsibilities of a role within a local authority.
Tell us about your career journey so far and your current role
I originally trained as Teacher but realised that while I love education, I was happiest supporting children in a pastoral capacity. I transitioned into parent support, helping identify the services available to parents, advocating and developing further opportunities for children with additional needs.
In 2014, I moved into the newly formed Education, Health and Care (EHC) team, working alongside colleagues on the huge task of transferring all Statements of Special Educational Needs to EHC Plans.
Once this was complete, I began working on new assessments. I drew on my previous experience supporting parents and met with children and families to gather their views and aspirations. I was fortunate that my team at the time was not divided into sectors; rather, we held a range of cases and I was able to gather experience across the whole of Education, Health and Care.
I worked with children of all ages and needs, including Looked after Children, those in elective home education and those Preparing for Adulthood. This experience set me in good stead to move into agency work, as I have been able to draw on every part of it in the roles that I have held.
What does a typical day as a SEND Case Officer and EHC Plan Writer consist of?
I work across the team in all areas, from new assessments to annual reviews and post-16, so I never know what each day will bring. After logging on, I check my emails and Microsoft Teams to see if any new priorities have come in, as these can change quickly. I have to be ready to shift my focus from day to day to meet the needs of the service and ensure deadlines are met.
I work within the online system, creating and drafting plans and liaising with the administration team/SEND Case Officers to have the plans sent out with appropriate setting consultations.
Have you noticed any significant trends or changes in the needs of children and young people within the last 5 years?
EHC plans to support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs now make up the majority of the plans I write. Children are really struggling at the moment.
I’ve also seen more care plans for girls diagnosed with autism, which is a positive step forward in terms of the diagnostic criteria for girls.
There is a lot of new information to take in at the moment with the release of the new government initiatives. We lost so many wonderful, valuable services and expertise when early help and prevention were sidelined for cost-cutting purposes. The system has suffered hugely as a result. My hope is that early identification and intervention are at the forefront.
What innovations or creative approaches have you seen make the biggest difference in supporting children with SEND?
The rise in the number of resource provisions within schools has been helpful. It has meant that pupils have been able to stay within familiar environments but still access extra support in a nurturing, small space.
Schools have become incredibly resilient and imaginative in finding ways to support their pupils, despite the ever increasing demands.
What do you find most fulfilling about your role as a SEND Case Officer and EHC Plan Writer?
Most of the time, EHC Plan Writers don’t get to see a case through to the end or witness the outcomes for the children and young people we support. There is something satisfying about logging in at the start of the week, seeing a long list of plans and checking them off one by one.
I know I am moving the service along and supporting the families who are waiting to receive the life-changing plan they have been hoping for. The gratitude from my colleagues, who are now able to work with those families and place them appropriately, is always appreciated.
How often do you feel that the demands of your role exceed the time and resources available to you?
Time management is always difficult within the education, health and care sector. The 20-week deadline to issue a final EHC plan after receiving the initial assessment request weighs on everyone on the team and it never changes.
Whether you have 10 applications or 100, they all need to be completed within the same timeframe and that can be frustrating.
What are some of the common challenges in your role and how do you deal with them?
By the nature of the role, we often work with families who are frustrated and angry due to the time it can take to go through the EHC process. We can often be on the receiving end of their anger or frustration, either in person or through social media and it’s difficult not to take it personally.
Having support from management and senior staff is essential so you can speak openly about anything that may have happened.
What's the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt in your career so far?
I’m only one cog in a massive machine and I can only do my part. I must trust and rely on others to do theirs.
What’s your vision for the future of SEND services?
There are many dedicated people working in SEND who always put children's needs first, but there aren’t enough of them to manage the volume of work.
I would like to see full teams of professionals working together across education, health and care, because more than a decade later, that coordination is still missing.
What advice would you give to aspiring SEND professionals?
My advice would be to broaden your understanding of all aspects of SEND and not stay boxed into one area. It’s important to have a full understanding of the needs of children from nursery through to young adults stepping out into the workforce.
Having an overview of why you are writing certain outcomes, how needs can realistically be met and how provision works for Looked After Child or Home Education is essential.
It leads to a far more child-centred experience and enables you, as an EHC Plan Writer, to produce higher quality plans.
What were your experiences of working with recruitment agency Spencer Clarke Group?
Spencer Clarke Group keeps me up to date with new roles as they appear and they keep me informed about when my contracts are ending. This means I don’t have to start looking around for new roles while still working and taking care of my family.
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