Pupil Reintegration Team Caseworker
Education - Children's Services
Children's Education Support
Closing Date: 23:57 12/05/2024
The Pupil Reintegration Team are looking to recruit 2 full-time Caseworkers in exciting new roles managing all aspects of transition for young people who are moving between settings either as part of planned transition from a Primary setting, a specialist setting to mainstream or to another mainstream setting following a Permanent Exclusion. We are looking for someone who is resilient, adaptable and can retain a great sense of humour even when a situation may be challenging. We need someone who can work equally well with young people and School leaders seeing both perspectives and work to find solutions. This is a new role which will require relationship building with education settings in a geographical area and a sound understanding of education legislation.
About the Role
We are a dedicated and busy team ensuring the Local Authority fulfil its statutory duties for pupils unable to attend school due to health needs or exclusion from their education setting. We are responsible for supporting the delivery of the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy in schools across the county, promoting the inclusion of vulnerable young people and reducing isolation and exclusion from school.
Our Caseworkers:
- Ensure that schools are aware of and following the national exclusion guidance and that parents, carers and schools are provided with high quality advice support and guidance on their rights duties and responsibilities as set out in the National Exclusion Guidance 2023, the 2002 Education Act and the Equality Act 2010
- Support the Service area to embed the LA Higher Needs Strategy, building capacity in mainstream schools to provide for pupils presenting a broad range of additional needs without recourse to EHCP.
- Hold a portfolio of complex and contentious casework for a designated area of the county. Challenging schools where the legal obligations and LCC policy requirements are not being met and represent the Pupil Reintegration Team at multi agency meetings.
About you
We are keen to hear from applicants who have the following knowledge and skills:
- A skilled communicator, the role involves a lot of relationship building, influencing, negotiating and, the ability to deliver professional challenge when necessary.
- Good time management, working to tight deadlines and responding to high demand from schools necessitates regular travel around the county. We're a very busy team, always on the go!
- An understanding of national legislation and guidance pertaining to the Education Act 1996 Section 19, Exclusion from and Admission to schools, school attendance regulations, and associated legislation along with an awareness of local policies and procedures.
- Resilience and tenacity is essential as casework is frequently complex, emotive and challenging.
- The ability to drive around the county is essential. Therefore a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle is required. Mileage will be paid.
We are seeking someone with knowledge and experience of the Lincolnshire Transition Protocol, Lincolnshire Ladder of Behavioural Intervention, the Lincolnshire Emotional Based School Avoidance Pathway. A sound knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance will be needed, as will an understanding of the Special Educational Needs and Disability systems. You'll have good negotiation skills, knowledge of the school system and the ability to work under pressure are all key skills for this role as well as being able to work to a tight deadline.
You will be supporting a growing team who pride themselves on their level of staff retention. We are dedicated to delivering services to statutory school age pupils who are excluded from mainstream education. We are fun and friendly with a supportive and positive outlook always happy to help each other.
About our offer
Along with a competitive salary we are offering:
- A Contributory pension
- Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
- Flexible working policies
- Career progression opportunities
- A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure
If you would like an informal discussion regarding this role then please email Angela.Elwood@lincolnshire.gov.uk or amandaT.smith@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Applications close 12th May, interviews will be held on the 23rd May in Lincoln.
Best of luck with your application!
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council 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.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.