Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (38.0%).
Occupation Type
Financial and accounting technicians
Occupation Code Skill LevelMedium Skilled
Sponsorship Salary Threshold
£48,700
(£24.97 per hour)
Occupation rate applies
Above analytics are generated algorithmically based on job titles and may not always be the same as the company's job classification. You can also check detailed occupation eligibility, and salary criteria on our UK Visa Eligible Occupations & Salary Thresholds page.
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Description
About The Role
High Needs Funding Support Officer - Post 16
Fixed Term, Full Time
£26,485 to £31,158 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 1st February 2026
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity until July 2027
This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford 1 day per week, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs
The Role
You will be at the centre of ensuring young people with SEND have access to high-quality, person-centred pathways into education, training and employment. This role is about coordination and making things happen – from managing High Needs Funding processes to facilitating the Post 16 Opportunities Hub. You will work closely with providers, families and internal teams to keep everything on track, maintain data integrity, and ensure statutory timelines are met. Your ability to connect people, solve problems and keep processing running smoothly will directly influence positive outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood.
To read more about our business area, please visit:
Education
The Opportunity
The Post‑16 High Needs Funding (HNF) Support Officer is a key operational role within the Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) service, ensuring that young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) access high-quality, person-centred pathways into post‑16 education, training, independence, and employment.
Working in close partnership with the HNF Lead Officer, this role takes ownership of the coordination and assurance of Post‑16 High Needs Funding processes and the delivery of the Post‑16 Opportunities Hub. It is responsible for maintaining data integrity, monitoring statutory timelines, and driving operational improvements that enable timely, informed decisions aligned to PfA strategic aims.
Acting as the primary link between internal teams, education providers, and external partners, the Support Officer improves and takes an active role in provider engagement and operational forums, ensuring compliance, transparency, and consistency across all Post‑16 pathways.
Accountabilities
Own the operational delivery and assurance of the Post‑16 High Needs Funding process, applying professional judgement to prioritise and resolve issues, ensuring timely coordination of placements, provider communications, and documentation.
Lead the facilitation of the Post‑16 Opportunities Hub, driving engagement with internal teams and external partners to secure meaningful education, training, and employment pathways for young people with SEND.
Function as the primary operational contact for HNF caseflow, liaising with the Lead Officer, Data Officer, and education providers to ensure consistent, accurate information flow and compliance with agreed principles.
Support the development and maintain operational guidance and communications for stakeholders, including families, ensuring transparency and alignment with statutory requirements.
Chair or co‑chair operational meetings and reviews, ensuring actions are tracked, risks are escalated, and corrective measures are implemented to maintain statutory timelines.
Own data integrity for HNF schedules and Opportunities Hub reporting and support the development of Post‑16 dashboards and analysis to inform moderation, budget assurance, and strategic decision-making.
Analyse trends and author recommendations for operational improvements, including NEET risk mitigation and banding consistency.
Promote collaborative working across SEND, YPWD, and education teams, influencing provider practice and supporting joined‑up delivery for young people transitioning to adulthood.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework
The Experience You Will Bring
Educated to Level 4 (or equivalent experience) with a strong understanding of the SEND post‑16 system, including High Needs Funding processes and Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, alongside knowledge of education pathways and service coordination
Evidence of continuing professional development and ability to apply specialist knowledge to operational decision-making and compliance assurance.
Proven experience in coordinating complex caseflow for young people with SEND, including monitoring statutory timelines and initiating corrective actions.
Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, interpret data trends, and utilise operational dashboards and reports.
Confident communicator and influencer, able to chair operational meetings, provide guidance to providers, and maintain effective relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital tools, with working knowledge of Excel and Power BI basics to support data integrity and reporting.
Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, driving continuous improvement and delivering measurable operational efficiencies.
Interviews
Interviews will be held on 10th February face to face at County Hall, Chelmsford.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reaso
nable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email jamielea.wallis@essex.gov.uk
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