What Is a SEN Case Officer?

A Special Educational Needs (SEN) Case Officer plays a critical role in ensuring that children with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support and services within an educational setting. Their responsibilities typically include collaborating with teachers, parents, and external professionals to identify students with special educational needs or disabilities.

SEN Case Officers are responsible for developing and implementing Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) or equivalent support plans for students with SEN. They will furthermore ensure that these plans are tailored to the unique needs of each student and are regularly reviewed and updated.

A SEN Case Officer will act as a point of contact and facilitate communication between parents or caregivers, teachers, school staff, and external agencies or specialists. They will collaborate with external agencies and professionals, such as Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Social Workers, to provide comprehensive support for students.

While working as a SEN Case Officer, you will be required to: 

• Monitor and review cases on a regular (often daily) basis. 
• Provide a well organised case work function which enables productive and efficient support in order to build strong and resilient children, young people and families.
• Undertake all statutory administration processes linked to the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) legislation. This must be in accordance with The Children and Families Act (2014) and the SEN Code of Practice (January 2015).
• Build effective relationships with various parties including the child or young person with SEN, their family, schools, Education Officers and Health and Social Services. A SEN Case Officer must ensure all parties are kept up to date with any developments.  
• Correlate the necessary and statutory documents which relate to the EHCP of a child or young person with SEN. This will include data and financial details connected to the case. 
• Record financial information clearly and effectively. 
• Inform the finance department when EHCPs are completed, ceased or when a change in funding occurs. 
• Support phase transfers and complete the annual review process in accordance with legislation and timeframes. 
• Answer queries and provide information to any party which requests it. 
• Ensure the needs of the child or young person with SEN are met. 
• Challenge providers when preferred outcomes are not met. A SEN Case Officer must work with relevant services when intervention is necessary. 
• Manage the transition between education and life phases within the statutory deadlines.
• Record, track and monitor how the local authority operates in relation to technology and the case management system. A great SEN Case Officer will be a champion for the good use of technology to ensure performance and business intelligence is well managed.  
• Update databases and systems with clear and current information in a timely manner. 
• Ensure client confidentiality is maintained in line with the local authorities policy. 
• Ensure suitable educational provision and school placements for children and young people with an EHCP are provided. A good SEN Case Officer will have a strong focus on accountability for outcomes.
• Be a single point of contact for the child or young person (and their family) during the EHCP process. A good SEN Case Officer will have regular and consistent contact throughout the whole process. 
• Facilitate multi-agency meetings. 
• Provide emotional and practical support to the child or young person with SEN. 
• Empower the child or young person (and their family) to make decisions and if appropriate, make effective use of their personal budget.
• Ensure assessments and EHCPs are issued (including all correct and necessary documentation) within the required timescale. 
• Ensure that draft EHCPs are taken through the appropriate decision making process. During the process, the allocation of resources (including personal budgets) should be agreed within accordance to guidelines. 
• Commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people with an EHCP. 
• Work alongside the SEN Team Manager and Senior SEN Practitioner to ensure high quality preparation and follow up of the local authority cases for SEN Tribunals. A SEN Case Officer must also ensure any directions or actions are met within statutory timeframes. 
• Maintain up to date knowledge relating to SEN casework including changes to national legislation and departmental policies. 
• Work as part of a team to ensure the effectiveness and success of the local authorities SEN service. 
• Aim to continually improve procedures and ways of working.