Senior Assessment and Review Officer

Senior Assessment and Review Officer - Specialist Placements Join to apply for the Senior Assessment and Review Officer - Specialist Placements role at Somerset Council. Key Information Full time, all year‑round position. Job share considered. Hybrid working model with a balance of home and office working, and regular travel across the county. 30 days’ annual leave – plus bank holidays. Permanent contract. Grade 10, ranging from £37,280 to £41,771 per annum. What will I be doing? As a Senior Assessment and Review Officer in the Specialist Placements Team, you will lead the transformation of lives across Somerset by shaping brighter futures for children and young people with acute and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You will communicate with providers, work with statutory teams, QA placements, and promote inclusive practices to ensure high-quality assessments, reviews and outcomes. Lead and inspire SAROs and AROs in SEND and Virtual School teams to explore all options for best family‑focused service. Champion positive outcomes and ensure high‑quality provision for children and young people with EHCPs across Somerset. Collaborate for impact with a dynamic multi‑agency team to deliver services that improve lives. Drive excellence by monitoring specialist placements, holding teams accountable and fostering continuous improvement. Facilitate strategic partnerships: chair multi‑agency meetings and collaborate with education professionals, health partners, social care teams and families. Shape policy and practice by applying the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice to guide decision‑making. Qualifications and Experience Experience in education leadership, SENCO, teaching, pastoral care, social care, family support or healthcare. Strong communication skills, able to adapt when engaging a wide range of stakeholders. Degree qualification or equivalent relevant qualification plus leadership experience. Independent problem‑solver, taking ownership of complex situations with confidence and accountability at a multi‑agency level. Positive mindset, eager to grasp and apply complex policy and processes effectively. Hands‑on experience working with children and young people with SEND and a solid understanding of the SEND Code of Practice. Comfortable using Microsoft Office packages including Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook. Benefits Healthy work‑life balance with flexible working arrangements, including working from home. Generous annual leave allowance – option to purchase additional leave. Staff discounts in gyms. Employee Assistance and wellbeing services. Auto‑enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme; optional pension enhancement via AC scheme. Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice for cycle use and health screenings. My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more. Salary Grade 10, ranging from £37,280 to £41,771 per annum. Contact For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Harriet Fuller, Senior Commissioner for QA, at harriet.fuller@somerset.gov.uk. Interview Details Interviews will take place the week beginning the week commencing 15th December 2025. Application Guidance When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and explain any gaps. Please start with your current or most recent employment. Background Check This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure and Barring Service procedure (DBS). Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level. Employment Type Full‑time. Job Function Management and Manufacturing (Government Administration). #J-18808-Ljbffr