Advice and Support Worker

Essex County Council; United States; Remote; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking a SEND Information, Advice and Support (SEND IAS) professional to provide impartial information and support to parents, carers and young people. You will handle a defined caseload, maintain up-to-date records, and work with education, social care and health colleagues to secure positive outcomes.

The role requires a level 5 qualification or equivalent, knowledge of SEND legislation, and strong ICT skills to document and monitor case progress.

Qualifications

• Requires a professional qualification at RQF level 5 (foundation degree) or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of working with parents/carers of children and young people with SEND and understanding of barriers to education.
• Awareness of SEND legislation and regulations; SEND legal training is provided by SEND IAS Services.
• Ability to advise and support parents/YP to generate credible options for head teachers, parents, children and young people.
• Efficient use of ICT to input case information and support reporting and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver impartial technical and legal information and support to parents/carers, children and young people on SEND education provision.
• Collaborate with SEND IASS team and partners across education, social care and health to secure positive outcomes for families.
• Manage a defined caseload with accurate daily records and data.
• Provide information, advice and support to promote independence and self-advocacy for children, young people, parents and carers.

Skills

Advisory skills

Case management

ICT literacy

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

RQF level 5 qualification or equivalent

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Responsibilities

• Deliver impartial, technical and legal information and support to parents/carers, children and young people on all aspects of educational provision for children and young people with SEND
• Work closely with colleagues within the SEND IASS team to provide continuity in casework as well as from across education, social care and health and with education settings and a range of outside agencies to secure positive outcomes for families.
• Responsible for managing a defined caseload ensuring keeping up to date accurate records and data on a daily basis
• Provide information, advice and support to promote independence and self-advocacy for children, young people, parents and carers.
  Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Requirements

• Possesses a professional qualification at RQF level 5 (foundation degree) or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.
• Knowledge and experience of working with parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities with an understanding of the barriers to education and the issues affecting them within education.
• Awareness of the legislation and regulations for all aspects of SEND education provision (SEND legal training is a requirement of SEND IAS Services, which will be provided).
• Ability to advise and support parents/YP where challenge is required to generate options which are credible solutions to head teachers, parents, children and young people and professionals.
• Efficient use of ICT to input all case information and support the service in the development of reports to monitor and evaluate quality.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you. Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone. Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community