Job summary
Due to maternity leave, we are delighted to be able to offer a unique opportunity within our Children's and Young People's Therapy (CYPT) Service. The service is recruiting to an Occupational Therapist SEND Resolution and Reconciliation Leads post on a fixed term/secondment basis. The successful applicant will work alongside a job-share partner who has extensive knowledge and experience of SEND and the Hertfordshire System.
This is a great opportunity to work for an innovative and agile organisation who is committed to continuous service improvement in response to the needs of our local children and young people and their families. Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) and the CYPT Service work collaboratively with parent/care forums, the Local Education Authority and other health partners in the NHS to positively influence the outcomes of children and young people with or without SEND. Additionally, the service has excellent relationships with local commissioners which enables the therapy team to be at the forefront of innovative service delivery and improvements.
*Proposed interview date: 20th May 2025*
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job will include:
- - Supporting the CYPT service in managing SEND Appeals and Tribunals around CYPT therapy provision
- - Supporting Therapists with assessments, meetings, and reports as part of SEND Appeals
- - Engaging in mediation and resolution meetings with families and SEN Teams, representing the CYPT service and/or supporting therapists; to seek resolution at the earliest stages of any disagreement
- - Representing the CYPT Service at Tribunal Hearings
- - Development of processes and protocols in relation to SEND Appeals to ensure compliance with statutory duties
- - Proactively managing current SEND Appeals on behalf of the CYPT service, including having an oversight of appeal casesat Hertfordshire County Council
About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust vision
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds
We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now
You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post. Also attached is the Person Specification.
The postholder will be part of the CYPT service and work closely with local SEND Teams to manage statutory SEND resolution pathway in a way that supports fair, equal and positive outcomes for children, young people and families. The postholder will have excellent communication skills and be able to work flexibly, balancing the clinical expertise required to respond to individual appeals and a strategic leadership role to improve the therapy offer to CYP with SEND within Hertfordshire. The postholder will have the opportunity to continue to develop the evidence base which inform clinically effective therapy recommendations and be involved in staff training and mentoring to ensure that any new practice guidance and evidence is shared and imbedded. HCT provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.
If you are keen to be part of our well established and professional therapy team, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Melissa Robertson (Designated Clinical Officer for CYPT and CAMHS) on 07584 335 902 for an informal chat and further details about this opportunity.
Applicants wanting to fewer hours per week over a longer period will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).
Interview date is set for: 20/05/2025 (Morning)
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post. Also attached is the Person Specification.
The postholder will be part of the CYPT service and work closely with local SEND Teams to manage statutory SEND resolution pathway in a way that supports fair, equal and positive outcomes for children, young people and families. The postholder will have excellent communication skills and be able to work flexibly, balancing the clinical expertise required to respond to individual appeals and a strategic leadership role to improve the therapy offer to CYP with SEND within Hertfordshire. The postholder will have the opportunity to continue to develop the evidence base which inform clinically effective therapy recommendations and be involved in staff training and mentoring to ensure that any new practice guidance and evidence is shared and imbedded. HCT provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.
If you are keen to be part of our well established and professional therapy team, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Melissa Robertson (Designated Clinical Officer for CYPT and CAMHS) on 07584 335 902 for an informal chat and further details about this opportunity.
Applicants wanting to fewer hours per week over a longer period will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).
Interview date is set for: 20/05/2025 (Morning)
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Registered Therapist (Occupational or Speech and Language)
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of experience working at a senior level in a specialist area
- Knowledge and understanding of working with Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of the central issues affecting outcomes for children, young people and families, particularly CYP with SEND
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 0-25 (2014)
- Knowledge of the local area inspection process for SEND
- Understanding of SEND in the reformed NHS and the role of commissioners, providers and NHS England
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of children's services at both a local and national level
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working in a designated/named or other children's Senior Leadership capacity with highly developed specialist knowledge
- Substantial clinical experience of the needs of children and young people with SEND
- Experience of the Education, Health and Care planning process and pathway and SEND Appeals and of undertaking highly complex assessments
- Experience of developing and delivering strategies/policies and plans
- Experience of producing strategic reports for boards and committees
- Experience of critical analysis, decision making and working to statutory processes
- Understanding of SEND Appeals and Tribunal Process
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate particularly in highly emotive situations
- Ability to chair high level multi agency/multi professional meetings
- Able to analyse, interpret and present complex data at high level meetings
- Ability to evaluate options and develop clear and realistic implementation plans
- Effective problem solving and conflict resolution skills
- Specialist technical skills relevant to the specialist area of practice acquired through advanced training and significant experience
Other
Essential
- Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Registered Therapist (Occupational or Speech and Language)
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of experience working at a senior level in a specialist area
- Knowledge and understanding of working with Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
- Knowledge and understanding of the central issues affecting outcomes for children, young people and families, particularly CYP with SEND
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 0-25 (2014)
- Knowledge of the local area inspection process for SEND
- Understanding of SEND in the reformed NHS and the role of commissioners, providers and NHS England
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of children's services at both a local and national level
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working in a designated/named or other children's Senior Leadership capacity with highly developed specialist knowledge
- Substantial clinical experience of the needs of children and young people with SEND
- Experience of the Education, Health and Care planning process and pathway and SEND Appeals and of undertaking highly complex assessments
- Experience of developing and delivering strategies/policies and plans
- Experience of producing strategic reports for boards and committees
- Experience of critical analysis, decision making and working to statutory processes
- Understanding of SEND Appeals and Tribunal Process
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate particularly in highly emotive situations
- Ability to chair high level multi agency/multi professional meetings
- Able to analyse, interpret and present complex data at high level meetings
- Ability to evaluate options and develop clear and realistic implementation plans
- Effective problem solving and conflict resolution skills
- Specialist technical skills relevant to the specialist area of practice acquired through advanced training and significant experience
Other
Essential
- Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
