Job title: SEND Funding Support Co-ordinator

Salary: C3 £32,061 - £33,699

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House & Hybrid

As a SEND Funding Support Co-ordinator you’ll thrive on helping to support children and young people to have their needs met in the setting they attend in line with the provision indicated in their Education, Health and Care Plan.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a SEND Funding Support Co-ordinator, you will bring to the role:

• Ability to sort, analyse and evaluate information relevant to the SEN statutory assessment and review processes.
• A keen eye for detail, with the ability to organise and prioritise own work.
• Have excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and recognise the importance of confidentiality.
• Be proactive, able to think ahead and work on your own initiative with the ability to adhere to timescales.
• Have good communication skills and be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and develop strong working relationships.
• Demonstrate flexibility and resilience.
• Awareness of the Children and Families Act, SEND Code or Practice and High Needs Funding Guidance.

About the role

The SEND Funding team is responsible for allocation of funding for individual children and young people who have learning difficulties and disabilities. The role includes processing and updating information about children and young people onto various IT systems, as well as communicating directly with internal and external partners, settings and families. 

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Emma Charlton, SEND Funding Team Lead. Call 0113 3786894 or email emma.charlton@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job description

Special conditions this post is subject to a standard level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

Job purpose: To support the SEND Funding Coordinators in managing funding processes for children with EHC Plans and SEND Inclusion Funding, and to assist in monitoring and accountability procedures related to SEND provision.

To manage the SEND Funding team Administrators ensuring policies and procedures are followed in relation to funding applications and the EHC Needs Assessment process.

Responsibilities

• Support the SEND Funding Coordinators in managing SEND Inclusion Funding (SENDIF) applications and processes for children with EHC Plans.
• Collate and manage sensitive data from schools/settings, families and partners to process funding applications, requests for EHC Needs Assessment to update pupil databases to ensure accurate tracking and audit trails.
• Monitoring the impact of provision put in place by schools and settings for children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities in terms of the outcomes they achieve.
• Provide regular data reports to managers to inform city-wide SEND planning and identify trends in SEND needs.
• Maintain accurate records and filing systems (electronic and paper), ensuring compliance with file management protocols, including recording of sensitive data in line with GDPR.
• Liaise with schools, settings, and other services during assessment and funding processes, ensuring timely and effective communication.
• To support the development and updating of monitoring and accountability frameworks by revising systems and contributing to audit processes.
• Prepare presentations and materials using Microsoft Office tools, including PowerPoint.
• Research and disseminate relevant materials from the ESFA/DfE website to staff and schools.
• Organise and support the delivery of SEND funding training sessions and briefings.
• Maintain and update content on the Funding Allocation System (FAS) and Leeds for Learning websites, including guidance and policy updates.
• Advise schools/settings, staff and families on current SEND funding policies and procedures.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all data and documentation related to SEND funding applications and decisions.
• To work to deadlines to support the EHC Needs Assessment process and funding applications.
• Line management responsibility and supervision for A1/A3 Administrator. Undertake staff appraisal, provide training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills are held within the team.
• Provide excellent customer service through prompt, courteous, and professional responses to enquiries.
• Collaborate with other teams and services to support integrated decision-making and service delivery.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the responsibilities and grade of the post.

Qualifications

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

• Business and IT Competence: Proven skills in using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, alongside experience with electronic communications systems and mail merge.
• Data Handling and Reporting: Ability to systematically collate, manage, and present data and information related to SEND funding processes, including producing accurate reports and maintaining audit trails. Deal with sensitive data accordingly in line with internal policy and procedure and GDPR.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication with colleagues, schools, and partner professionals at all levels, including handling telephone and written enquiries professionally.
• Organisation and Time Management: Ability to prioritise workload, manage tasks independently, and work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and meet tight and often conflicting deadlines.
• Teamwork and Flexibility: Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively across a range of priorities, contributing to team objectives and service delivery.
• SEND Knowledge: Understanding of SEND processes, including funding applications for children with EHC Plans and SEND Inclusion Funding.
• Customer Service Orientation: Commitment to providing a confidential, discreet, and responsive service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Digital Content and Presentation: Experience in preparing presentations and updating web content on platforms such as the Funding Allocation System (FAS) and Leeds for Learning.
• Monitoring and Accountability Support: Ability to assist in the administration of SEND monitoring frameworks and update systems accordingly in line with internal policy and procedure and GDPR.
• Compliance: Must satisfy conditions of service including DBS check and police clearance.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Possession of a European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) or equivalent IT certification.
• Experience of working with other Local Authority services and agencies, such as Children’s Services.
• Experience in producing a variety of documents, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint presentations.
• Familiarity with Synergy, advanced Excel, and advanced word processing tools.
• Knowledge of SEND funding processes and how they apply within educational settings.
• Understanding of Leeds City Council systems and procedures.
• Experience contributing to or maintaining web-based content for internal platforms such as Leeds for Learning or the Funding Allocation System (FAS).

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