Role of the SEN Team

The SEN Team works collaboratively with colleagues across education, health and social care, parent, carers and young people and with the voluntary sector to improve the outcomes for Shropshire children and young people with SEND.

The SEN Team is responsible for delivering the statutory responsibilities of Shropshire Council regarding special educational needs and/or disability for children and young people aged 0 to 25.

SEN case coordinator

A SEN case coordinator is allocated to all requests for an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA). They're the first point of contact for any enquiries about the process and the statutory timescales. They're also responsible for ensuring that each request is responded to within the statutory timescale, to advise if an EHCNA will be carried out. As part of the EHCNA, the SEN case coordinators request advice from all professionals involved, including parents, carers and children and young people, and ensure that this is received within six weeks of the request. Once all of the advice is received, a decision is made about whether an education, health and care plan (EHCP) is required.

SEN case officer

All requests for an EHCNA are allocated to a SEN case officer who, if an EHC plan is required, following assessment, will be responsible for writing an EHCP. SEN case officers are the first point of contact for any enquiries regarding the draft EHCP, and they liaise with the allocated case coordinator regarding consultations with schools.

Annual review process

Annual review reports received by the SEN team are recorded by the annual review coordinator. The SEN case officers consider the recommendations made in the annual review report and make a decision on whether to maintain the EHCP with no changes, amend it, or cease the EHCP as appropriate. The case officer will make appropriate amendments to the EHCP.