"We’re Not Just Managing Cases, We’re Helping Shape Better Futures." Interview With an EHCP Coordinator

In this blog, you will learn:

• How an EHCP Coordinator ensures the best outcomes for students with SEND and their families.
• How to find and apply for the best EHCP Coordinator jobs.

At the heart of an EHCP Coordinators work lies a mission to ensure every child with SEND is understood, supported and able to thrive. We recently spoke to an EHCP Coordinator to learn more about her role and her commitment to helping families and young people reach their full potential.

This individual has been an EHCP Coordinator for over 12 months and is driven by a passion for transforming SEND support. She champions child-centred planning and is dedicated to making every child’s voice truly count.

This EHCP Coordinator is passionate about ensuring the EHCP process is child-centred and the most effective for students to thrive. She values collaboration and meaningful communication with families and professionals to ensure positive outcomes for all.

From advocating for continuous professional development to staying up to date with changes in the SEND industry, you’ll discover how this EHCP Coordinator prioritises the needs of children with SEND and supports families.

Tell us about your career journey so far and your current role

My career so far has been centred around helping and supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). I graduated in 2023 with a degree in Educational Psychology and then went on to work as a SEN Teaching Assistant.

I now work as an EHCP Coordinator within the EHC Team in my local authority. My current role consists of supporting children and their families through the full EHCP process. I liaise regularly with schools, parents and health professionals to gather advice and ensure that each child receives the correct support.

I make sure to maintain positive relationships with schools and parents, as I understand this can be an anxious time for them. Furthermore, my weekly duties include starting new EHC assessments, gathering and reviewing professional advice and preparing documentation for panel decisions.

I work closely with schools, parents and professionals to ensure all information is accurate and submitted within statutory timescales. I also support annual reviews, update case management systems and communicate outcomes to families and settings.

What innovations or creative approaches have you seen make the biggest difference in supporting children with SEND?

One of the creative approaches I have seen is the use of more co-production and making sure that all work that is done is child-centred. This means ensuring that within the EHC plan, the child’s voice is clearly represented and all the support and extra interventions are shaped around that.

In the long term, this means that outcomes will be more positive for the child and their families as they feel like they have genuinely been listened to and their concerns have been acknowledged.

What do you find most fulfilling about your role? Can you share a moment in your role that felt particularly rewarding?

What I find most fulfilling about my role is knowing that the work directly contributes to improving the lives of children and young people with SEND. Even though much of the role involves paperwork and is ‘behind the scenes’ it’s rewarding to know that every plan or review helps ensure a child receives the right support to reach their full potential and removes any barriers that they might be facing.

A particularly rewarding moment for me was when I supported a complex case where the family had been feeling that their voices weren’t being heard. Through consistent communication and raising this case with the managers, we were able to complete the assessment on time and agree a plan that the parents felt truly reflected their child’s needs by organising meetings with the parents and the educational setting.

Seeing their relief and gratitude reminded me how meaningful our role is as we’re not just managing cases, we’re helping shape better futures.

How do you keep up-to-date with changes in the SEND industry?

Within my role, we have team meetings every 2 weeks where we are updated with any changes in the SEND industry. This is really helpful as it helps keep all team members on the same page by providing everyone with the same information.

I also have supervision on a monthly basis where my line manager provides me with any important updates. As well as this, I also take part in any relevant training sessions that I think will further develop my knowledge of any changes within the SEND industry.

How do you help children with SEND reach their potential and feel valued?

In my role, I help children with SEND reach their potential by making sure their individual needs are at the centre of all planning. I ensure that their voices are clearly heard and also reassure parents and carers as the process can sometimes be quite overwhelming. I work closely with schools, families and professionals to make sure that provision is consistent and that progress is regularly reviewed.

By maintaining open, supportive communication with parents and valuing their input, I help create a sense of trust and partnership around each child. I always ensure I make them feel comfortable enough to contact the EHC team if they have any queries or would like any reassurance around a certain aspect of the process.

I believe that when children and their families feel heard and supported, they are more confident which ultimately helps them achieve their potential.

Can you share an example of a challenging situation you’ve faced in your SEND career and how you resolved it?

One challenging situation I faced was when a parent was very unhappy about the delay in their child’s EHC assessment and felt that their concerns weren’t being listened to. I understood how stressful the process can be for families so I made sure to communicate openly and transparently. I reviewed the case, explained where we were in the process and outlined the next steps clearly.

I also liaised with the SEND Case Officer responsible for the case and asked them to contact the parent directly to provide an update and reassurance. This helped rebuild trust and ensured that the parent felt heard. This experience reminded me of the importance of collaboration and clear communication when managing challenging situations in SEND.

What's the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt in your career so far?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learnt in my career so far is the importance of empathy and clear communication. Working within SEND has shown me that behind every application and case is a child and a family who are often feeling anxious, frustrated or overwhelmed.

As I am the first point of contact for the education health and care team, taking time to listen, explain the process clearly and show understanding can completely change the dynamic. It also builds trust and makes sure that parents have a positive experience through the EHCP process.

What role do you think technology will play in the future of SEND provision?

I think technology will play an increasingly important role in the future of SEND provision. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to support EHCP Officers in drafting and reviewing EHC plans.

AI tools could help summarise professional reports and suggest wording that clearly reflects needs and outcomes, which may save time while improving consistency and accuracy. However, I do believe it’s vital that AI is used as a supportive tool rather than replacing the human aspect. The empathy and understanding that come from direct communication with children, families and schools will always be essential.

What’s your vision for the future of SEND services?

My vision for the future of SEND services is for a system that is fully inclusive, consistent and centred around the needs and aspirations of each child and young person. I believe we are heading in the right direction, as there is already a major focus on this. I also believe collaboration between education, health and social care should include clear communication and ensure the child is provided with the best support possible.

What advice would you give to aspiring EHCP Coordinators or SEND professionals?

My advice to aspiring EHCP Coordinators or SEND professionals would be to always keep the child and their family at the heart of every decision. I also believe it is very important to keep organised. This role involves balancing competing priorities and working closely with a wide range of professionals; therefore, being able to stay calm and clear under pressure is essential.

EHCP Coordinator jobs

If you’re searching for your next EHCP Coordinator job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available. 

Struggling to recruit EHCP Coordinators?

As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs. 

If you’re struggling to recruit, we have exclusive access to some of the most experienced EHCP Coordinators in the UK.

If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

• South of the UK - Richard Shorrock
• Midlands & North of the UK - Adam Zyda

Share your experience

Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the healthcare sector.  

If you work in the healthcare sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions. 

Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count. 

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.