In this blog, you will learn:
- How to write a standout EHC Plan Writer CV.
10 tips to create a standout EHC Plan Writer CV.
How to find and apply for the best SEND jobs.
For EHC Plan Writers, it is essential to have a standout CV to showcase your qualifications and experience in creating effective Education Health and Care (EHC) Plans for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
According to GovUK, since 2010, the requests for EHC Plans has increased and the number of new EHC plans made has also continued to increase. This means that EHCP Writers are in demand. There is a consistent increase in the demand for Local Authorities to ensure that children with SEND are supported and EHC Plans are implemented.
In our latest blog, we uncover how to write a standout EHC Plan Writer CV that will beat the competition and result in a job interview to take you one step closer to your dream role.
How to write a standout EHC Plan Writer CV
A standout CV provides the opportunity for candidates to prove themselves to be an excellent candidate based on their skills, qualifications and education.
Writing a CV might seem simple, but it needs to be effective, unique and compelling as well as filled with useful and necessary information.
10 tips to include to make your EHC Plan Writer CV standout:
- Make your introduction concise and full of content.
- Provide contact information.
- Highlight your education and qualifications.
- Emphasise your experience.
- Display your knowledge of SEND legislation.
- Spotlight key achievements.
- Demonstrate your skills.
- Indicate your proficiency with software.
- Proofread.
- Customise your CV.
Make your introduction concise and full of content
Begin your CV with a concise personal statement that summarises your expertise, experience, and commitment to working in special education and writing EHC plans. Mention the age groups and specific areas of SEND you have experience with.
Provide contact information
Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location at the top of your CV. Ensure that your details are accurate and up-to-date to make it easier for the local authority or recruiter to contact you to arrange an interview if they are impressed by your CV.
Highlight your education and qualifications
To become an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan Writer in the UK, you typically need a combination of qualifications, experience, and knowledge specifically related to special educational needs and disabilities.
List your degree in education, any qualifications or training related to SEND and EHC Plan writing and include the type of qualification, where you obtained it and when. You can include the score or result and any specific courses that you excelled in.
Mention any professional development courses, workshops, or training you've completed in the field of special education and EHC plan writing.
Emphasise your experience
Experience working in the field of special education or with individuals with SEND is crucial. Many EHC Plan Writers have previous roles as SEND Teachers, SEN Teaching Assistants, or Educational Psychologists. Mention any practical experience in writing EHC plans such as shadowing professionals in the field.
Provide a brief overview of your professional background, highlighting the number of years you've worked as an EHC Plan Writer and the settings in which you've worked (e.g. schools and local authorities).
Detail your experience, starting with your most recent role and working backwards. Specify the types of students you've worked with and describe your role in developing, reviewing, and revising EHC plans.
Display your knowledge of SEND legislation
A deep understanding of SEND legislation in the UK is essential for this role. This includes familiarity with laws such as the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
Understanding and maintaining ethical and legal considerations when working with sensitive information and the rights of students with SEND is crucial. Candidates should keep up to date with changes in SEND legislation and regulations in the UK and be aware of any updates or revisions to the SEND Code of Practice.
Spotlight key achievements
Don’t be afraid to mention key moments in your career that you are proud of or that have had a positive or successful outcome. Highlight specific achievements related to your work as an EHC Plan Writer.
Mention successful outcomes, improvements in student support, or any notable contributions you've made to the field of special education. This will impress the hiring manager and make you a much more desirable and unique candidate, increasing your chances of being hired.
By highlighting key achievements, a hiring manager will be able to ascertain the value you could bring to their local authority.
Examples of key achievements
Examples of key achievements to include on your EHC Plan Writer CV:
- Developed, reviewed, and revised EHC plans for students with a wide range of SEND, including autism, ADHD, and emotional/behavioural disorders.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams and engaged with parents and guardians.
- Conducted thorough assessments, including gathering input from teachers, specialists, and parents, to create person-centred plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate services and interventions for students, ensuring their needs were met effectively.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date records of EHC plans, progress reports, and communication with stakeholders.
- Participated in regular review meetings and contributed to the continuous improvement of the school's SEND provision.
- Provided training and guidance to teachers and support staff on the implementation of EHC plans and inclusive practices.
Demonstrate your skills
On your CV, list the key skills and competencies relevant to the role, such as your knowledge of SEND legislation, assessment techniques, collaborative teamwork, and effective communication. Provide some examples of how those skills have benefited you in your career so far.
Skills to include on your EHC Plan Writer CV
Examples of skills to include on your EHC Plan Writer CV include:
- Organisational skills.
- Communication skills.
- Flare for writing and literacy skills.
- Compassionate and empathetic.
- Good attention to detail.
- Commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Indicate your proficiency with software
Indicate your proficiency with software and tools used for creating and managing EHC plans, such as SENDIS (Special Educational Needs Disability Information System) or other relevant software. EHC Plan Writers use software and technology to communicate with families, teachers and professionals.
Assistive technology can also support individuals with SEND to improve their daily quality of life. When children and their families use software like SENDIS, it helps children to create a vision for their future and achieve their goals.
Being proficient in software is important to be able to manage the SEND process and their time, by reducing some of the administrative burden that comes with any role in SEND or education.
Software proficiency is a great skill to include on an EHC Plan Writer CV to stand out and make candidates seem even more desirable and well-suited to the role. Including this skill would demonstrate to the employer that you have done your research and that you have experience for the role.
Proofread
This might sound simple or obvious, but it is important that candidates double check their CV before they submit their EHC Plan Writer job application. Carefully proofread your CV to eliminate errors and ensure it is error-free and polished. A CV which is littered with spelling or grammatical errors might suggest to the hiring manager that you have little attention to detail which is not a trait you should want to display.
If you struggle with spelling and grammar, you could ask a friend or colleague to run their eyes over it. Alternatively, there are a number of online CV checkers and writers who could assist.
Customise your CV
Customise your EHC Plan Writer CV for each job application by highlighting the specific qualifications and skills that match the job requirements. As each job application is unique, so should your CV be; it should be edited and revised to prove your suitability for the role to stand out from the crowd.
By failing to tailor your CV to each role you apply for, you are signalling that you couldn’t be bothered to write a unique application. Traits of laziness are perhaps not something you would want to display to a hiring manager.
Local authority SEND recruitment specialists
As award-winning SEND recruiters, we support local authority SEND services and private sector providers nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs. Whether you require a single hire, multiple placements or an entire project team, simply request a call back and one of our experienced recruiters will contact you to discuss how we can help.
Looking for your next local authority SEND job? Either search the latest jobs or upload your CV and one of our consultants will be in touch when a suitable opportunity arises.