Job title: SENDIASS Support Officer
Salary: PO1 £38,220 - £40,777
Hours: 18.5
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid Working/ SENDIASS Office
As a SENDIASS Support Officer you will work flexibly across the service to provide clear, consistent, and helpful advice and support that helps people to understand their rights, share their views and feel confident to take part in SEND processes.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a SENDIASS Support Officer you will bring to the role:
- Excellent communication, networking, interpersonal, planning and organisational skills to effectively provide confidential information, advice and support impartially, including an ability to build rapport and support service users displaying a variety of emotions with sensitivity and patience.
- Clear written and verbal communication style, using a variety of communication methods. Able to prepare and deliver information in clear and concise way, in a variety of formats, suited to their intended audience and that informs decision making.
- Ability to research, understand, interpret, and retain complex legal or procedural information and develop and maintain specialist resources.
- An ability to mediate, negotiate and use diplomacy sensitively and confidently and to use initiative and problem solving to resolve any arising conflict effectively to avoid and defuse conflict in stressful situations.
- Ability to develop and deliver training packages and on a wide range of SEND topics and issues.
About the role
Leeds SENDIASS is a dedicated and identifiable service that offers free impartial and confidential information, advice and support (IAS), children and young people between 0 and 25 years who have, or may have, Special Educational Needs and/or a disability (SEND), their parents/carers and professionals that work in the field of SEND.
As our next SENDIASS Support Officer you’ll contribute to the front-line delivery of a high quality, effective statutory service that empowers service users to understand and exercise their rights, express their views and feel informed and able to navigate processes related to SEND.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact [email protected]
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Leeds SENDIASS is a dedicated and identifiable service that offers free impartial and confidential information, advice and support (IAS), children and young people between 0 and 25 years who have, or may have, Special Educational Needs and/or a disability (SEND), their parents/carers and professionals that work in the field of SEND.
The provision of this IAS aims to promote independence and self-advocacy and ensure that children, young people, their parents/carers and those supporting them feel informed and empowered to play an active role in decision making, thus supporting best possible educational and other outcomes for all.
The service functions at arm’s length to Leeds City Council, ensuring that the Local Authority fulfils the requirements of Section 332a of the Education Act 1996, Children and Families Act 2014 c.6 part 3 section 32, SEND Code of Practice 2015 and National Minimum Standards for Information Advice and Support Services 2018.
To contribute to the front line delivery of a high quality, effective statutory service as detailed in SEND legislation. Working flexibly across the service to deliver a broad range of consistent, effective and personalised information advice and support (intervention levels 3 & 4 IAS) that empowers service users to understand and exercise their rights, express their views, wishes and feelings and to feel informed and able to navigate processes related to SEND. Including advocacy and representation, when required based on need.
- Complete and keep up to date with relevant legally based training on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability, health and social care to act a specialist in the area of SEND.
- Provide factual, legally based and tailored advice and support to those identified via the service triage and allocations process, including 1:1 contact, modelling, representation and advocacy where appropriate.
- Ensure that service interactions are conducted in a confidential and impartial manner, in line with the service minimum standards and functions as an arm’s length service.
- Hold a caseload working with children, young people, parents and carers, educational providers, the LA and partner agencies whilst working in line with SEND Law and statue including SEND Code of Practice 2014, SEND Regs, Children and Families Act 2014, Tribunal Regs, HESC Rules and the Education Act.
- Undertake individual casework, that empowers service users by providing clear impartial information and explanation of the range of SEND practices, procedures, roles, responsibilities and support available, tailored to the specific needs of an individual child/young person to enable appropriate, informed decision making and confidence to take an active role concerning the child/young person’s education, health and care needs.
- Ensure parents, carers, children and young people are fully aware of their rights and support them to navigate SEND processes in line with their needs, this may include modelling, advocacy and representation at SEND meetings.
- Provide tailored advice and support around disagreement resolution and the mediation process, this may include attending to support or represent parents to achieve successful agreement where possible with schools, parents and LA teams and wider services.
- Provide tailored advice and support before, during and following a SEND Tribunal appeal, including support to follow process, with paperwork and evidence gathering. Dependent on the needs of the parent or young person, this may include support and advocacy during a hearing to ensure that the parent or young person’s views are represented.
- Provide specialist SEND advice and consultancy to professionals and other agencies about SEND approaches, statutory requirements and advise on appropriate referrals to services to assist them in the delivery of appropriate support where a child or young person has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
- Use a restorative approach of high support and appropriate high challenge to work with schools, governing bodies, direct services and the local authority in line with the SEND Code of Practice and other relevant legislation and guidance. Interpreting and applying them consistently.
- Provide and model strategies to support service user communications with schools, Local Authority and other agencies and efficient signposting to relevant teams, services, support agencies and other sources of information and advice, relevant to the nature of the enquiry.
- Produce and deliver training to local education, health and social care professionals, parents, carers and young people to increase knowledge of SEND law, guidance, policy, issues and participation.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders, groups and relevant organisations to improve the range and quality of the information and advice offered to children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers.
- Ensure safeguarding matters are considered in all aspects of work, recognising and acting where concerns of risk are identified, including attendance at child protection conferences, reviews and core group meetings for case work when appropriate.
- Obtain and accurately record key information and service interactions, related to case support, onto the service database, in line with agreed processes, protocols and GDPR requirements, allowing for effective and continuous service support and accurate data reporting. Ensuring that the information recorded is accurate for reporting of data in line with local and national reporting requirements
- Support with consultation of children and families with a SEND need, to influence, shape and inform service delivery. Working collaboratively with stakeholders, groups and relevant organisations to improve the range and quality of the service offer for children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers.
- Be responsible for, develop and lead on a specific area of expertise, as appropriate to service requirement, e.g. education, health, care, exclusion, dispute resolution and appeals or the designated young person offer.
- Identify gaps in and contribute to the ongoing development of a comprehensive and up to date SEND information resource base, which can be accessed through and adapted for a range of media and audiences.
- Support with the promotion of the service offer and contribute to expanding the accessibility of the service, including attendance at SEND events and marketplaces.
- Lead on development and delivery of community and outreach activities, including virtual and in person information sessions, workshops and advice sessions.
- Contribute to and deliver the service training offer to increase knowledge of SEND law, guidance, local policy, issues and participation for all service users, partners and stakeholders.
- Support with service evaluation and feedback processes.
- Provide regular and consistent supervision to staff, as agreed with the service manager, in line with policies and procedures. Share and help embed best practice principles and a positive learning culture within service area with enthusiasm and commitment, supporting and coaching colleagues as necessary.
- Assist the SENDIASS Manager in designing and developing a service that seeks to improve outcomes for children and young people, ensuring the Quality Standards relating to Information Advice and Support Services and the points specified in the SEND Code of Practice 2015 are fulfilled.
- Assist with data analysis of service performance and completion of reports which can influence decision making and seek to improve outcomes for children and young people.
- Develop a working knowledge of relevant Council, Directorate and Partnership plans and priorities and understand the implications for service areas.
- Support with the development and maintenance of a service volunteer scheme, providing training and supervision for volunteers to ensure the quality of service they provide.
- Supporting the active involvement of children and young people and families in how the service is delivered and how it can contribute to the ambitions of Leeds City Council as set out in the City Plan for Leeds, ensuring that children and young people have a voice and influence.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of systems and processes such as Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, Information Governance, Performance and Risk Assessments across the team.
- Deputise for the SENDIASS manager in their absence
- Undertake training and continuous personal development identified as relevant to the post and contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent relevant degree level study in a relevant disciple such as Social Care, Education, Health or Legal Services.
A relevant qualification in SEND (IPSEA or equivalent) or willingness to undertake the training within 6 months of taking up the role.
- Ability to engage and communicate sensitively, clearly and accurately with different audiences including vulnerable children and young people and with their parents or carers, and professionals. Display sensitivity and patience to service users.
- Ability to research, understand, interpret, and retain complex legal or procedural information and develop and maintain specialist resources.
- Ability to mediate, negotiate and use diplomacy sensitively and confidently and to use initiative and problem solving to resolve any arising conflict effectively to avoid and defuse conflict in stressful situations.
- Excellent communication, networking, interpersonal, planning and organisational skills to effectively provide confidential information, advice and support impartially, including an ability to build rapport and support service users displaying a variety of emotions with sensitivity and patience.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage and prioritise own workload and achieve deadlines in a busy and demanding environment.
- Analytical skills, including the ability to gather, interpret, present complex data from a range of sources.
- Ability to managing a caseload and adapt to meet the challenges of a fast paced working environment.
- Ability to motivate, promote positive attitudes to change, open communications and identify support and challenge opportunities to successfully achieve agreed outcomes.
- Ability to work with families’ strengths and needs and appropriately support/challenge individuals using a restorative and relational approach.
- Clear written and verbal communication style, using a variety of communication methods. Able to prepare and deliver information in clear and concise way, in a variety of formats, suited to their intended audience and that informs decision making.
- Ability to develop and deliver training packages and on a wide range of SEND topics and issues.
- Ability to establish, maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people.
- Creative and flexible approach to working and an ability to identify improved ways of working. Including an ability and willingness to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
- Ability to use IT systems and software, including Microsoft packages, e.g. word, excel and databases.
- Use of transport and/or access to transport to cover service duties.
- An understanding of current special educational needs and disability legislation; Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 2015, Equality Act 2010 and related legislation (including social care & health legislation).
- An understanding of the purpose and statutory duties of the SEND & Disability Information, Advice and Support service and that local government carry in relation to children and family services, including the duty to provide an arm’s length and impartial service.
- Professional knowledge and experience of the British schooling system, including SEND interventions, wider legislation relating to things such as exclusions, attendance and admission and an understanding of and sensitivity to the cultural needs of families.
- Understanding of the issues faced by children and their families where there are SEND needs and knowledge of appropriate service responses they require to achieve positive outcomes and the importance of inclusion and a strong commitment to improving the lives of children and young people with SEND and their families.
- Knowledge of current local and national issues impacting upon the service and can demonstrate a clear linkage with the needs of children and children and young people across the city.
- Working knowledge of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, safeguarding, information governance, confidentiality and data protection and other key legislation relating to children and their parents/carers.
- Adopting a person-centred approach to working with families demonstrating a commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and maintaining effective working relationships to achieve positive outcomes for children.
- Conflict management whilst maintaining respectful, professional and impartial boundaries and looking at ways forwards when disagreements arise between settings/services and parents.
- Providing advice, consultation and support to children and young people, parents, carers, schools, settings, local authority and other partners.
- Working alongside agencies schools and/or clusters.
- Simplifying and adapting own communication style, including working with parents with communication needs or English as an additional language.
- Supporting improvement and developing reflective practice.
- Producing electronic documents and keeping and recalling accurate records and statistical data. Demonstrating Appropriate sharing of information & sound understanding of GDPR/confidentiality requirements.
- Managing competing priorities and risks whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
- Attending and chairing meetings, and of supporting others to provide their views.
- Speaking to large audiences, delivering and effectively evaluating training and sessions.
- Managing a caseload, including complex and potentially high-risk cases, with a high level of intensive support and working as an effective and reflective practitioner.
- Developing and managing strategies leading to successful outcomes for children within the relevant environment.
- Able to work flexible hours with notice, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
- Counselling, mediation and/or resilience skills.
- Professional qualification in the specialist area of SEND.
- Ability to speak, read and/or write in languages other than English.
- Ability to establish and maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people.
- Of using holistic approaches to identifying children’s and parent’s needs and abilities.
- Of statutory and independent sources of funding for families.
- Of the Leeds Practice Model.
- Problem solving and developing workable solutions to meet business requirements.
- Presenting complex information in a clear & concise manner in a range of formats to drive performance in services and inform decision-making.
- Challenging existing ways of working and delivering organisational change.
- Working in multi-agency environment.
- Working in a culturally diverse environment with parents from minority ethnic communities and vulnerable groups.
