We’re excited to be recruiting
EHCNA Officers to join our fantastic Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) service. We have multiple opportunities available following the conclusion of a recent restructuring of our services and these roles will be integral to on going focused work to improve the quality and timeliness of our SEND services.
The starting salary for these positions is
£30,647 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
This role is open to hybrid working. As a team we split our time between working from home and collaborating together in the office, for a minimum of two days per week. We also aim for visits to schools and settings across Surrey on a regular basis, as we continue to build upon our collaborative working. The office base for these roles is Victoria Gate in Woking.
Rewards And Benefits
- 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Join our SEND Service – Make a Real Difference
We’re looking for compassionate, knowledgeable, and proactive individuals who can build trusted relationships and communicate clearly. Our young people want adults who listen, explain things honestly, and keep them at the centre of every decision. Parents and carers value empathy, strong organisational skills, and a deep understanding of SEND legislation and diverse needs. Schools need consistent, accessible professionals who are experts in SEND and can guide them through the system with clarity and confidence. If you’re committed to collaboration, advocacy, and making things happen, we’d love to hear from you.
About The Role
At Surrey Local Authority, we’re committed to providing excellent support for children and young people with SEND. Our SEND services work together to deliver timely, effective support that leads to positive outcomes. We focus on building strong, respectful relationships with families, schools, and partner organisations, with relational and restorative working practices underpinning all our work.
As an EHCNA Officer, you’ll join a newly established countywide Education Health & Care (EHC) Needs Assessment team. You will manage casework related to the 20-week EHC Needs Assessment process, engaging with families and education providers to facilitate informed discussions. Using a person-centred approach, you will ensure statutory assessment deadlines are met. You’ll coordinate input from Education, Health, and Care services to ensure each child receives the right support for their needs. You will draft EHCPs, ensuring they are clear, accurate, and high quality. Reflective practice and continuous improvement are key to this role, and you’ll be part of a team that puts the child at the centre of everything we do.
We’re looking for people who:
- Communicate clearly and confidently, both in writing and in person
- Are well-organised and able to manage deadlines
- Are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people
- Work well with others and build strong relationships
- Use feedback and data to improve the quality of their work
By working in close collaboration with children’s Social Care, Health, parents/carers and families, as well as schools, your impact will help us to achieve the best outcomes for the children we support.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting, your CV and personal statement will need to clearly evidence the following:
- Educated to A-level or equivalent, with training or experience in SEN, including the Code of Practice and Children and Families Act 2014
- Good knowledge of Surrey’s SEND policies, national guidance, and legislation
- Familiarity with Surrey County Council’s Local Offer and school provisions, or willingness to learn
- Knowledge of effective, evidence-based interventions and ability to clearly articulate recommendations from written reports, plus the ability to draft EHC Plans
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Experience of working collaboratively with children, young people, and families
- Awareness of the impact of SEND on vulnerable children and young people
- Competence in a range of IT tools including MS Office and database management systems
The role involves working in, and visiting, venues across Surrey to build professional working relationships, therefore you will need the willingness and ability to travel across the county to meet the demands of this role.
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Deborah Degnan via email at
[email protected]The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14th September with interviews to follow.
This role requires a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council
Our Behaviours
The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about our behaviours.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
