Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Ipswich IP1 2BX, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU or Lowestoft NR33 0EQ –Hybrid working
• Salary:£34,434 per annum (pro rata if part time)
• Hours:37 hours - flexible working options available
• Contract:Permanent

Redeployment - internal staff only

Reimagine the possibilities.

Every child and young person deserves the opportunity to achieve their potential. As a Statutory SEND Services Coordinator, you'll play a vital role in helping ensure children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need to thrive. Working on behalf of children, young people and their families, you'll help shape decisions that can have a lasting impact on their education, wellbeing and future outcomes.

This is a rewarding role where your work truly matters. You'll collaborate with families, schools, health professionals and colleagues across the Local Authority to ensure statutory SEND processes are delivered effectively, and children and young people remain at the centre of every decision.

We're looking for somebody who is motivated by making a difference, enjoys solving complex problems and can remain calm, organised and focused when priorities compete.

Your role and responsibilities

In this varied and rewarding role, no two days are the same. You will play a key part in coordinating statutory SEND processes and supporting positive outcomes for children and young people.

You will:

• Coordinate and complete Education, Health and Care (EHC) Annual Reviews, ensuring statutory timescales are met

• Manage a complex caseload, balancing competing priorities and making sound professional judgements

• Act as the link professional for families, building strong, trusting relationships and providing clear communication and support

• Work on behalf of children and young people, ensuring their views are central to every decision made

• Collaborate closely with schools, health colleagues, social care and partner agencies to deliver coordinated support

• Identify and manage risk, ensuring safeguarding is always paramount.

What to expect

We believe it's important to be open about the realities of the role.

This is a fast-paced position where you'll balance multiple priorities, manage complex scenarios and work to statutory timescales There will be occasions when families are anxious, professionals have differing views and situations can feel challenging.

What makes the difference is your ability to stay focused on achieving the best outcomes for children and young people, communicate clearly, and work positively with others to find solutions.

In return, you'll be part of a supportive and collaborative service where colleagues work together to overcome challenges, celebrate successes and continually improve outcomes for Suffolk's children and families.

You will need

We're looking for someone who shares our passion for improving outcomes for children and young people and who can bring both professionalism and resilience to the role.

We hope you will bring:

• The ability to remain calm, organised and solution-focused when managing competing priorities and deadlines.

• Experience of working with or on behalf of children, young people and families.

• Strong communication skills and the confidence to build positive relationships with families, schools, settings and partner agencies.

• The ability to manage challenging or sensitive situations while maintaining professionalism and empathy.

• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively within a busy workload.

• An understanding of SEND processes, legislation or related statutory frameworks, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.

• A commitment to ensuring the voices of children, young people and families are heard and reflected in decision-making.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who sees challenges as opportunities to make a positive difference and who remains committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people, even when circumstances are complex.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) in the ‘How to apply’ section.

If you're passionate about supporting children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.

If your experience doesn't perfectly match every requirement, but you believe you have the skills, values and potential to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply. We're interested in what you can bring to the team and the difference you can make for Suffolk's children, young people and families.

The team

The Statutory SEND Service is responsible for delivering the Local Authority's duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice. The team works closely with education, health and care partners to help ensure children and young people receive the support they need to achieve positive outcomes.

You'll join experienced and supportive colleagues who understand both the rewards and challenges of the role. We work collaboratively, share knowledge and support one another to ensure children, young people and families receive the best possible service.

Whether you're speaking with a family, working with a school or contributing to a statutory process, you'll know that your work is helping make a genuine difference to children's lives.

This is a hybrid role, meaning you can work from both home and the office. There is a requirement to spend at least 40 % of your working time in the office, depending on service needs.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker, shaped by the voices of young people: find out more

For more information

Please contact Lucy Doberty or Jen Beaton for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling Lucy on 01473 263643 or Jen on 01473 260529 or emailing Lucy.Doherty@suffolk.gov.uk or Jennifer.Beaton@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word)

1. Please describe a time when you have worked directly with or on behalf of children, young people and their families.How did you ensure their voice was heard? What was the outcome?
2. This role involves managing a demanding and complex caseload with statutory deadlines. Please give an example of how you have prioritised competing demands to meet deadlines while maintaining quality.

3. Describe a time when you managed a challenging, emotionally demanding or high-pressure situation involving competing priorities. How did you maintain focus, manage the situation and achieve a positive outcome?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages

Closing date: 11.30pm, 9 July 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk)