Ehcp case officers/writers/etc

[BirdFeederFun]

Hello!

Is anyone an EHCP writer/ officer/ whatever local name is?

I've seen this role advertised and I'd love to know more about this job. I'm a former teacher with experience since leaving teaching working with parents (but not a SENDCO or senior leader ) and was wondering what it's like.

Id decided not to go for social work due to not being able to meet needs and wondered if you just constantly feel you're failing everyone in this role/if it's very stressful or if it's a good job. Or even a good step to something else.

I work closely with them and it looks like a horribly stressful, badly paid job. Our LA can't keep them for love nor money and the ones they have are always off sick. They are the people caught in the centre of the SEND crisis maelstrom. Parents raging at them because their child isn't getting what they need, insane pressure from above to not give out/ write anything that will cost money. Legal challenges left, right and centre.

I would second this ^^

Ah that all confirms my fears. (Apart from the pay. It's around 35-39 which is more than many post teaching roles...).

I really want to leap into something else and people always recommend "the council" or "civil service" but I'm never quite sure what. My interest is mainly around neurodiversity and I currently support parents - I'm just very badly paid and need to leap back into something with better pay /progression.

Do people do it for a while and then move on? Or burnout?

Id love to write better ehcps than I sometimes see with all the weasel words but having my hands tied while talking to unhappy parents could soon get frustrating.

I see locally so many people complain they can't speak to their case officer or don't know who they are I thought at least I could keep clear communication.

Honestly, run away. In our LA they don't generally last six months apart from the ones without scruples and who don't give a shit. There are multiple positions advertised every week now they are using agency staff as they can neither recruit nor retain staff. In an FOI I did only 24% of staff had stayed for a full year. 700 formal complaints against the department in the last 18 months probably didn't help. Other departments generally have 5 a year.

You won't be able to write decent EHCPs because you will use a bank of prepared statements. You won't be able to quantify or specify because LA don't want to have EHCPs that are legally enforceable as that costs money. That's the reason for the huge numbers of appeals to SENDIST. You will have to toe the LA line. Our LA have removed named officers, closed phone lines, have generic email addresses to frustrate communication so as to avoid accountability. Next we will get the dreaded hub so that LA can be totally faceless and nameless.

Oh gosh that sounds awful :(. I suspect our area has high turnover (hence the current recruitment)

Its so frustrating it should be a role where you can actually help families. And so frustrating knowing that this goes on 😕

They won't get people working for them like me who want to make a difference which is what they need. It's hard enough to navigate the system as a parent as it is. I'm so cross on every level. And frustrated on a personal level as I have no idea how to change into a more sustainable role/different career.

So the other issue is I really do need a job and need the money. Is it survivable I wonder.

If love to chat to someone whose done it or works in this area if anyone is happy to message me. X

Ah coming back to this thread as my LA are advertising for assistant roles now.

But then I realised I started this thread 😔

You'd do better working for one of the advocacy groups like Talking SENse.

Round our way SEN advocates (freelancers) charge about £80 an hour helping parents write tribunal appeals.

I might not have enough experience for that so I guess this could be on the way.,

Hmmm.

Tbh I wouldn't want to work in our LA SEND dept for all the tea in China. Seems like nobody else does either though as currently staffed in the majority by temps and agency staff. That said parents groups are very active here and do cause them a lot of hassle, currently demanding the EHCPs uploaded on to the hub are identical to the one held which means them doing the work again or issuing notices and holding meetings with everybody which is even more work. This will be followed up with formal complaints, it's a thankless task tbh.

Hmmm. I've seen a charity role I would love but it only pays £25k full time 😬. I worked for more than that 15 years ago teaching.

Its really hard finding a new direction.

I worked closely with them when I worked in our LA’s SEND department (note worked!).

Like others have said, the turn over was insane. Plus you can actually write better EHCP as you can only write what the others involved in the process have already said. A good number of times I’ve read one and thought, “Hey, those are my exact words! They’ve just copied and pasted! And they’re getting paid a lot more than me.”

It must be a really crap job though if you’re getting paid £35k+ to copy and paste and still leave!

@Idratherbepaddleboarding what did you move onto do?

My current role really isn't sustainable and I'm floundering and finding a career move that's manageable. I guess all jobs have their downsides....

I so wish I'd trained in a different profession!

I think these kinds of jobs create what's called 'moral injury' in those who do them.

I found it bad enough to participate in the process as a parent. I reckon I'd find it unbearable on the other side.

:( I don't think I am mentally strong enough to go into another job that will lead to burnout/ frustration I cant do it ethically.

I need a job though. Ive just seen one full time for 25k ... I earnt more than that 20 years ago . I feel brokem=n.

I’m a Probation Officer, it’s still very, very stressful but at least I’m not being forced to let down 2 year olds with SEND and their families!

My DSD has a role in Claims for these people (25) NHS Resolution: Jobs | LinkedIn - fully remote apart from some training etc days. She was a very talented SEND teacher but the system was dragging her down (she is autistic herself). I think they open the recruitment process a couple of times a year. Her new job sounds great, lots of support and training, and family friendly.

So I think I'm going to go for it. I'd love to hear from anyone whose done it if they have any tips for interview or for surviving it.

I really need a more wfh job so it makes sense to apply even if it's not long twem

Id love a long term plan 🙁

How about a teacher for children who are awaiting a send placement? So known and f2f tuition. Employed by local councils. Very in demand

Given the high turnover and massive delays, I can’t imagine it’s a job most people would want.

Hi OP, I would agree with what others have said, this is a v difficult time to do this job, especially if you do want to help people.

BUT we have an amazing consultant helping us with our kids, including getting us through and winning at SEND Tribunal. She started out doing the type of job you're thinking of (though some time ago when LAs were in less dire straits), worked her way up, got to know both the law and how LAs operate really well and then left and set up her consultancy business, which she runs from home. Perhaps an idea for your longer term plan - see this role as a stepping stone for a couple of years or so then branch out and support people in a more fulfilling way?

Would agree with that. Many more securing EOTAS packages, Dd has fifteen hours of tutors each week and local boards crying out for Maths and English tutors. Dd's textile tutor employed directly by LA who also fund all materials and resources for lessons as well 6 hours with dd at top rate too,

It would be fascinating to see what would happen if an LA used trained SEND officers with instructions to comply with the law, having first instructed Ed Psychs etc to advise in detailed and specific terms. Their appeal rates would plummet.