SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join their dedicated team. The role focuses on supporting neurodivergent children, with an emphasis on communication and interaction, while also providing opportunities for learning and development. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and training to excel in this temporary position.

Benefits

27 days holiday per year

Option to purchase additional holidays

Flexible hours and job sharing

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing Portal and Employee Assistance Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Staff networks for diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification such as NNEB (Cache Level 3) or equivalent.
• In-service training within Speech and Language is recent and relevant.

Responsibilities

• Support and work directly with neurodivergent children.
• Collaborate with various teams within the service like the EWEL Team.

Skills

Supporting neurodivergent children

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

NNEB (Cache Level 3)

BTEC Diploma in Caring Services

NVQ Level 3 in Child Care and Education

NVQ Level 3 in Supporting Children and Young People's speech, language and communication

Job description

We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly interested in hearing from applicants with expertise in supporting neurodivergent children and young people, including autistic young people, those with ADHD, and those with speech and language or communication needs. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will work within the Communication and Interaction Team, however, you may also be asked to work within and alongside other teams in our service, such as the Emotional Well-being and Effective Learning (EWEL) Team and the Cognition and Learning Team. Communication & Interaction Team of highly valued, supportive and dedicated team.

This post is temporary for a period of 18 months.

If you would like more information about the post please contact Liz Mulholland, Cognition and Learning Team Leader at [e-mail] or Joanne Underwood, Area Principal Educational Psychologist at [e-mail] or Tel. No. 03000 263333 for an informal discussion.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
Essential requirements for this role are a relevant qualification such as:

• NNEB (Cache Level 3)
• BTEC Diploma in Caring Services
• NVQ Level 3 in Child Care and Education/Early Years Care and Education
• NVQ Level 3 in Supporting Children and Young People’s speech, language and communication
• Recent and relevant In-Service training within the field of Speech and Language

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions. Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits

SOCIAL MEDIA
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HYBRID WORKING
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.

We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26899/Equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-our-workforce

INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held week beginning 8th September 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

HOW TO APPLY
In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.

Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email at [e-mail]

We collect personal information from you when you register with North East Jobs and make an application. Details on how we process your personal data is available in our Privacy Notice. https://www.durham.gov.uk/media/24645/Privacy-notice-human-resources/pdf/PrivacyNotice-HR.pdf

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM [e-mail] AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.

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