We have an excellent opportunity for a SEND Complex Case Practitioner to join our SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full-time, Permanent basis.
As SEND Complex Case Practitioner, you will lead a solution-focused, service user-oriented model with the aim to reduce parental recourse to SENDIST, with a particular focus on restorative practice, promoting positive outcomes and collaborative working. You will manage a caseload of complex cases heading towards complaints or appeals, ensuring statutory assessments are delivered within the 20-week timeframe and overseeing the annual review process for Education, Health and Care Plans.
You will represent the Local Authority in Way Forward Meetings, formal mediation and complaints processes, working directly with stakeholders to resolve disputes before escalation. Managing risk across assigned cases, you will provide specialist professional advice to support informed decision-making while liaising with Commissioning and finance teams regarding funding allocations such as personal education budgets.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated, diplomatically skilled practitioner with significant experience in SEND casework to guide our team toward making a meaningful impact for children and young people across the Borough.
Staff Benefits
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
- Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
- Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
- Move through Menopause Course
- Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
- Learning & Development Opportunities
Key Responsibilities:
- Facilitate mediation, representing the Local Authority in informal and formal processes.
- Working directly with parents, schools and other professional bodies to resolve disputes as well as liaising with SEND Tribunal Officers and the SEND Teams.
- Support the SEND Casework Practitioners in managing their most complex cases and those that may be heading towards complaints or appeals.
- Represent the Local Authority in way forward meetings and responding to formal complaints in line with local policy
- Model good practice to support the development and empowerment of the SEND Casework Team whilst offering peer to peer support.
Candidate Requirements:
- Understanding of SEN legislation and procedures, including knowledge of legislation in relation to SEN i.e. Children’s Act, Code of Practice, DDA, etc.
- Experience of working with children and/or families with SEN.
- Experience of managing complex casework which includes a need for mediation or conflict resolution in an educational context.
- The ability to write detailed and complex reports independently utilising information provided by both internal and external colleagues
- Good IT skills, including word processing skills in Microsoft Office, and in database systems
- Ability to travel to a variety of locations in borough to develop relations with educational settings and attend training to key stakeholders.
Our Area:
Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.
Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
Click the link below and apply Today!
Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Sam Philo, Head of SEND, via [email protected] (Strictly no agencies).
Closing date: Sunday 26th July 2026 at 11pm
Interview date: TBC
AI in Applications:
We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.
However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.
We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
