Working as a SEND Case Officer Today: Lessons From a 30-Year Career in SEND

In this blog, you will learn:

• What it is like working in the SEND sector today, including the challenges, pressures and rewards of supporting children and young people through the statutory process.
• How a seasoned SEND Case Officer developed her skills and experience to progress into a local authority role.
• About emerging SEND trends, including the rise in Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance.
• How to find and apply for the best SEND Case Officer jobs.

The SEND sector is constantly evolving with rising demands, legislative change and increasing pressure on local authorities. In this interview, we speak with a SEND Case Officer whose 30 year career pre-dates SEND reforms, new legislation and the introduction of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). 

This seasoned professional shares how she developed her skills and understanding of SEND to progress from classroom teaching and advisory roles to a position within a local authority.

In this interview, this SEND Case Officer offers insights into emerging trends such as Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA), as well as the challenges and rewards of working in SEND.

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

I have pretty much worked in the education sector since the 1990s. After completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), I began as a primary school Teacher.

In the mid 2000s, I moved away from classroom teaching and began working in advisory roles, first in a SureStart Children’s Centre and later for a local authority as part of a team of qualified Teachers providing QTS support and guidance to early years settings.

The next twist in my career path was accidental rather than planned. I was offered a post in further education delivering and assessing qualifications for trainee Teaching Assistants. The syllabus included SEN content and many of the learners were already supporting pupils with SEND in schools, but this was still just before the introduction of the new legislation and EHCPs did not yet exist.

Although I’d taught children with SEN and was familiar with the previous system for providing support to children with SEND such as the School Action/Action Plus and Statements of SEN, my teaching experience pre-dated the 2014 SEND reforms by several years.

A subsequent role involved assessing distance-learning scripts for courses focused on areas such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) and related topics. This broadened my understanding of SEND considerably and enabled me to secure a position within a local authority SEND team, where I worked on converting Statements of SEN to EHC plans and amending existing plans following Annual Review.

I later progressed to being the main EHC Plan Writer for that local authority before moving into a SEND Case Officer role specialising in statutory assessment and the 20-week process.

What does a typical day as a SEND Case Officer consist of?

No two days are ever the same in the world of SEND but common themes in statutory assessment work include responding to queries from families and schools, monitoring time-bound tasks and identifying any possible re-prioritising to ensure statutory deadlines are met. 

My responsibilities also include preparing cases for local authority decision-making, and reviewing consultation responses.

In EHCP writing, there is usually an aspirational weekly quota to meet linked to statutory timeframes. This means assessment information needs to be reviewed, correctly interpreted and combined to produce a plan which accurately reflects the child/young person's needs and is also legally compliant, before submitting it for quality assurance by a senior local authority officer or manager. 

How often do you feel that the demands of your role exceed the time and resources available to you?

There are always lots of competing priorities and plenty of things pulling on your time. It’s definitely not the kind of job where you end the day with an empty inbox or fully completed to-do list. 

There is a real need to work in ways which make the best use of the time you’ve got and often rethink what you’re doing next to make sure it’s the most effective task to focus on at that moment.

How has SEND provision changed over the past 12 months?

There has been a growing number of requests for specialist placements. In addition, when a child or young person is academically able but finds it difficult to attend a mainstream setting due to anxiety, EHCP funding is increasingly being used to support alternative provision. 

At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of pupils accessing education through local authority-led online learning arrangements.

Have you noticed any significant trends or changes in the needs of students and schools within the last 5 years?

It’s widely reported that there has been a huge rise in requests for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA) and within that increase I’ve noticed a significant number of Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) cases, particularly among secondary-age girls. 

In many of these situations, social anxiety and/or generalised anxiety are identified as the main driver for challenging or distressed behaviours seen in school.

Looking at the Early Years cohort, there is considerable evidence of notable difficulties with social communication and interaction, as well as delays in both expressive and receptive language. Many children appear to face challenges on entry to reception, often lacking the early skills typically expected at the start of statutory education. 

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

I stay informed through local authority updates, relevant case law, news articles and specialist organisations such as the Council for Disabled Children and Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA). 

Networking with colleagues is also invaluable for sharing insights and keeping up with latest practice and news.

What do you find most fulfilling about your role as a SEND Case Officer?

One of the most fulfilling parts of my role is being able to reassure a parent or carer who is feeling stressed or overwhelmed because they are confused about part of the statutory process. Helping them feel clearer about things and more confident about the next steps is always rewarding.

It’s also very uplifting when a parent gives positive feedback after receiving a draft plan, especially when they say it truly captures their child and accurately reflects their needs. Hearing that really makes me feel that the work I’ve done has made a difference.

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

It’s difficult to choose just one example, but managing expectations around the EHCNA process and what an EHC plan can provide is a frequent challenge. 

Service users sometimes expect solutions faster than the statutory process allows or support beyond what’s realistically available. 

What challenges do you believe councils and the SEND sector will face in 2026?

The publication of the government’s white paper in 2026 should give a clearer picture of the future direction of SEND support. That said, the overarching challenge of how to effectively meet the SEND needs of children and young people, amid local authority financial constraints and growing deficits, remains an extremely complex and emotive issue.

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

I believe that working with children and families is a privileged role. As SEND Case Officers, we have the opportunity to gain insight into other people’s lives and should always approach each situation with respect. 

The most valuable lessons I’ve learned are never to make assumptions and that there is always something new to learn or a situation that you haven’t come across before.

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

I would like to see trust being re-established in the process so that all parties involved feel confident that the system is fair, responsive and effectively supports children’s SEND needs.

Particularly in relation to EBSNA, I would advocate for more comprehensive approaches that combine early intervention with mental health support. 

This would help prevent situations from escalating to the point where children and young people feel unable to attend school, thereby protecting their emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and future life chances.

What advice would you give to aspiring SEND professionals and what are 3 reasons to consider a career in SEND?

If you’re thinking about a career in SEND, my advice would be to really build a strong foundation of underpinning knowledge; read widely, attend relevant training courses and keep learning.

Working in local authority SEND is a great opportunity to do meaningful public service and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.

You get to use and develop a wide range of skills, both technical and interpersonal. The work is challenging, varied and always interesting. It really helps you build empathy and understanding, giving you a broader perspective of people and their lived experiences.

Spencer Clarke Group educational psychology report 2025

As specialists in local authority SEND recruitment, we work alongside hundreds of Educational Psychologists throughout the UK and are mindful of the challenges they encounter as the sector evolves.

In the SCG Educational Psychology Workforce Insights Report 2025, we explore funding challenges, industry trends, policies and legislation, and the future of educational psychology.

Read the SCG Educational Psychology Workforce Insights Report 2025 here. 

SEND Case Officer jobs

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

Recruit SEND Case Officers

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 SEND Case Officers 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 - Dane Matthews 

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 SEND sector.

If you work in the SEND 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.