Support Services ⫽ Other Jobs

Polaris Community; Southampton; Presencial; GBP 20.000 - 21.000; Tempo parcial

Benefícios oferecidos por esta vaga

30 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Company Pension

Life Assurance x2

Employee Discount Scheme

Medical Cash Plan (pro rata)

Resumo da vaga

Polaris Children's Services is seeking a dedicated SENDIASS Support Worker to join our Hampshire team. You will provide confidential, impartial one-to-one guidance to families navigating SEND processes, with a view to enabling self-advocacy and better outcomes.

The role is part-time (28.5 hours/week) with no fixed base location; occasional in-person meetings are required. You will have SEND-related experience and be comfortable with Microsoft Office and databases, plus a UK driving licence.

Qualificações

• Qualified in SEND law or willing to complete IPSEA SEN Law Training Level 1-3 within the first year.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A calm but assertive manner with the ability to manage complex conversations with stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office apps, including Outlook, and databases.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own car.

Responsabilidades

• Provide support to a caseload of children and young people with SEND and/or parents on EHCP, tribunals, attendance, social care, and SEN support.
• Explain documents, co-write applications, attend meetings or mediation, and monitor deadlines for customers.
• Explain and refer to SEND legislation and policy when advising customers.
• Identify barriers and signpost translation, accessible forms, and emotional support services.
• Encourage self-advocacy and coach customers to complete tasks themselves where possible.
• Operate a weekly advice shift, answering Polaris SENDIASS helpline calls and emails.
• Accurately record advice and maintain case records and documents.
• Cultivate relations with local authority SEN teams to achieve positive outcomes.
• Contribute to development of SENDIASS website and social media content.

Conhecimentos

Excellent communication

Leadership experience

MS Office (Outlook)

Driving licence

Formação

Qualification in SEND law or IPSEA SEN Law Training Level 1-3 within first year

Ferramentas

Microsoft Office

Databases

Descrição da vaga

Responsibilities

• Provide individual support to a caseload of children and young people with SEND and/or their parents. Common topics on which support is provided are: EHCP application, SEND tribunals, attendance issues, social care provision, exclusions and SEN support. Examples of support include: explaining documents, co‑writing applications, attending meetings or mediation with the customer, monitoring deadlines on the customer's behalf, supporting or representing the customer at any stage of the SENDIST appeal process
• Help customers to have clear expectations of your role by using 'What to Expect' (eligibility criteria) and outcomes documents to agree the purpose and boundaries of the support you provide
• Explain and refer to relevant SEND legislation and policy when providing advice or support (Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, Equality Act 2010, Care Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2014, SEN Support Guidance)
• Spend time understanding the barriers customers face. Identify and advocate for things that will enable them to engage with SEND services, such as translation services, accessible forms, specific communication provision and emotional support. Signpost to and engage these services as required
• Proactively support children, young people and/or their parents to self‑advocate as much as possible. Coach and encourage them to take control and complete some tasks themselves, even where you think you may be able to do so faster or better
• Work at least 1 advice shift per week. This involves answering phone calls and emails to the Polaris SENDIASS helplines. Listen generously to parents, carers and young people who contact the helpline and provide information and advice that enables callers to self‑advocate
• Make an accurate record of your advice and support. Continuously maintain database records, including contact duration, individual case details and documents relating to casework
• Cultivate professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, including local authority SEN teams, to achieve swift and positive outcomes for children and young people
• Contribute to the development of content and resources for the SENDIASS website and social media

Polaris Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children's Services.

We are looking for a SENDIASS Support Worker to join our friendly team based in Hampshire. The successful applicant will have professional or personal experience in special educational needs, disabilities, education, health or social care. They will provide customers with confidential, impartial, one‑to‑one support on issues relating to SEND. They must be professional, approachable and outcome‑focused.

Requirements

• Have a qualification in SEND law or be willing to work towards achieving IPSEA SEN Law Training at Level 1, 2 and 3 within the first year of employment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Personal or professional experience in a leadership position, a calm but assertive manner and an aptitude for managing complex conversations with a range of stakeholders
• Confident working with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, and databases
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own car

About Us

We are Polaris, one of the UK's largest communities of children's services providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as Leaving Care services, Education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.

Salary & Contract

Salary: £19,542.86 pro rata (£24,000 FTE), rising to £21,171.43 pro rata (£26,000 FTE) following successful completion of probation and IPSEA training

Contract: Part Time, Permanent

Hours: 28.5 hours per week (working pattern will be negotiated with your line manager)

Base Location: No fixed work base, with occasional attendance at in‑person meetings

Benefits

• 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service
• plus bank holidays
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance x2
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Medical Cash Plan (pro rata)