Deputy Area Inclusion Lead

We are looking for a proactive and experienced Deputy Assessment Hub Lead – EHC (Senior EHC Coordinator) to join our busy and dedicated team. In this key leadership role, you will support the Team Manager in overseeing the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) process, ensuring that statutory timelines are met, and that high-quality Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are produced in line with the SEND Code of Practice and the Local Authority's values and procedures.

This is a hybrid role, with office attendance 3x per week.

Key Responsibilities

‒ Support the Team Manager in managing the 20-week statutory EHC assessment process across all educational phases, from Early Years to Post-14.

‒ Ensure EHCPs are developed using comprehensive assessment information and reflect the needs and aspirations of children and young people.

‒ Promote the effective use of the SEND case management system, ensuring accurate and timely updates by staff.

‒ Provide quality assurance for EHCPs and support staff in maintaining high standards of practice.

‒ Collaborate with multi-agency professionals to ensure that EHCP outcomes are clearly identified and delivered.

‒ Assist in monitoring and reviewing assessment timelines and outcomes to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

‒ Support the training and development of assessment officers, offering supervision, guidance, and case discussion support.

‒ Provide expert advice to colleagues, service users, and partner agencies on SEND processes and legislation.

‒ Enhance communication and collaboration across services and stakeholders to improve outcomes and inclusion.

‒ Contribute to the SEND service's inclusion agenda by ensuring appropriate school placements that meet individual pupil needs.

‒ Manage a small caseload of complex cases, applying your expertise to support positive outcomes.

What We're Looking For

‒ A strong understanding of what makes an effective EHCP and the statutory assessment process.

‒ Experience in supporting or managing SEND statutory processes.

‒ Excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills.

‒ A collaborative and child-centred approach to service delivery.

‒ In-depth knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and relevant legislation.

In return we will offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.

All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on