SENDISS Communication and Interaction Advisory Support Worker

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust; Kidlington; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time only

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension scheme (LGPS)

Childcare vouchers

Cycle to work

Learning opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Communication and Interaction Advisory Support Worker to help mainstream schools develop inclusive practice for children with Communication and Interaction differences, including autism. You’ll work with Experts at Hand and Specialist Advisory Teachers to support staff and pupils across Oxfordshire.

You will empower schools to implement practical strategies that promote participation, wellbeing and educational progress, while building capacity and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children and young people with Communication and Interaction needs in educational settings.
• Ability to build strong relationships with pupils, families, school staff and partners.
• Capable of coaching staff and influencing positive inclusive practices.
• Calm, patient and solution‑focused with ability to work across multiple schools independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular support across primary and secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
• Model effective strategies, coach staff and deliver targeted interventions.
• Share expertise to help schools develop inclusive approaches and improve student outcomes.

Job description

As a Communication and Interaction AdvisorySupport Worker,you will be a key part of our Communication and InteractionSupport Service, helping mainstream schools developinclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people with Communication and Interaction differences, including Autism. Working within the Experts at Hand model and alongside Specialist Advisory Teachers, you'll provide regular support across primary and secondary schools throughout Oxfordshire. Your work will focus on empowering staff, sharing specialist knowledge and helping schools develop approaches that enable children and young people to participate, learn and thrive in mainstream education. You will spend time modelling effective strategies, coaching staff and delivering targeted interventions thatsupport pupils' development, wellbeing and educational progress. Whether helping achild build confidence in social situations,supporting positive transitions between schools, or advising staff on practical approaches to inclusion, your contribution will have a direct and lasting impact on children's daily experiences in education. A significant part of the role involves building capacity within schools. You'll help staffunderstand Communication and Interaction differences and develop practical strategies that promote engagement, independence, participation and positive relationships. Bysharing expertise and encouraginginclusive approaches, you'llsupport schools to strengthen their provision and meet the needs of pupils more effectively. You'll also work closely with families and professional partners, helping ensure children and young people receive consistent, joined-upsupport that enables them to achieve the best possible outcomes. Throughout the role, you'llchampion the voice of thechild, helping pupilsunderstand their strengths, express their views and play anactive part in shaping theirsupport.

You are passionate about inclusion and believe that everychild and young person deserves tofeel understood, valued and able to succeed. You recognise that Communication and Interaction differences can present challenges in educational environments and are motivated by helping others develop theunderstanding and skills needed to overcome barriers. You'll bring experience of supporting children and young people with Communication and Interaction needs within educational settings, alongside a strong understanding of effective strategies and approaches that promote participation, wellbeing and progress. You may have worked directly with children, supported school staff, or contributed to wider SEND provision, and you'll be confident adapting your approach to meet different needs and situations. Strong relationships sit at the heart of this role, so you'll be an excellent communicator who can buildtrust with pupils, families, school staff and professional partners. You'll be comfortable coaching others,sharing expertise and influencing positive practice in a way that issupportive,collaborative and empowering. We're looking for someone who is calm, patient and solution-focused, with the ability to work independently across a range of schools and settings. You will be organised, resilient and committed to continually developing your knowledge and practice, whilst always placing children and families at the centre of your work.

Oxford Health NHS FoundationTrust andOxfordshire County Council are transformingsupport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We are building a team of health and education professionals (Experts at Hand) to provide earlier intervention and stronger inclusion in schools settings, providing practicalsupport where it is needed, and helping children and young people receive the rightsupport, at the right time. Bysharing your expertise and working collaboratively with colleagues across organisations, you'll play a key role in improving outcomes for children, families, and schools across Oxfordshire. At Oxfordshire County Council, we arecommitted to helping everychild and young person achieve their potential. Through our Experts at Hand campaign, we're investing in specialist expertise that strengthens inclusion, builds confidence in schools and ensures children and young people with SEND can access the opportunities they deserve. Working in partnership with schools, families and professional networks, our teams help remove barriers to learning and create positive outcomes for children and young people across the county. As part of Experts at Hand, you'll join a collaborative team that shares knowledge, champions innovation and works together to ensure schools have the skills, confidence and support they need to meet the needs of their pupils.

Most importantly, you'llshare ourcommitment to inclusion and our belief that expertise should be accessible when and where it's needed most. If you're ready to use your skills to build confidence, strengthen inclusion and become one of our Experts at Hand, we'd love to hear from you.

Rewards and benefits

• Term-time only working.
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeingsupport 24-7.
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer's contribution of up to 19.9%.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Range of family-friendly policies.

Our Values

Our organisational values underpin everything we do and say and aresupported by policies, processes and guidance. In short, our values describe 'the way we do things here' so that we deliver great services for our residents. Our values are:

• Always learning
• Bekind and care
• Equality and integrity in all we do
• Taking responsibility
• Daring to do it differently

Everyone that works for us demonstrates their commitment to these values. We will ask you to demonstrate your commitment to these values, and their associated behaviours, throughout the application process. Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If thisis applicableto you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Ourcommitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Ourcommitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.

Ourcommitment to: Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Ourcommitment to: Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.