Inclusion and SEND Secondary and Post 16 Advisory Practitioner in Keynsham

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives. Are you an experienced member of a SEND, Welfare or Pastoral team in a Secondary School or Post-16 provision and looking for your next career step? We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual with experience supporting children and young people within a SEND, welfare or pastoral role. This opportunity may particularly appeal to experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), Learning Coaches, Pastoral Support Workers, Student Support Officers, Learning Mentors, or other inclusion-focused support staff who are ready to broaden their impact across a wider range of education settings.

If you are passionate about inclusion and committed to helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) achieve their full social, emotional and academic potential, we'd love to hear from you. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service, working across education settings in Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES). You will use your frontline experience to support schools and settings in developing inclusive practice and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Applicants who have experience working with children and young people across the following age ranges: Key Stage 3 and 4; and/or Post-16 learners.

The Successful Candidate Will Bring:

• Experience of working within a SEND, pastoral, welfare or student support team in a secondary school or post-16 setting.
• An understanding of the needs of children and young people with SEND and additional vulnerabilities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with education professionals, families and other agencies.
• A commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced support professional to take the next step in their career, applying their knowledge and skills beyond a single setting and contributing to the development of inclusive practice and SEND provision across B&NES.

About The Role:

The service offers first line support for B&NES’ settings, from early years to FE College, as part of the Inclusion and SEND Support Offer. The Inclusion and SEND Secondary and Post 16 Advisory Practitioner will provide signposting and support to settings to meet SEND needs at the earliest possible opportunity. We are looking for someone who has the skills to be able to provide support to settings to implement timely provision to meet children’s needs. This could include modelling of support for children and young people alongside setting staff, supporting delivery of training and Continuing Professional Development, completing student observations, supporting with transitions between phases and attending relevant professional’s meetings under the guidance of the Lead Inclusion and SEND Advisors on the team.

This role will require an individual who is able to support settings’ inclusive approaches for children and young people with SEND and those at risk of placement breakdown. This is an opportunity to shape the way we support inclusion for children and young people and help more young people to achieve the lives they aspire to, as they reach adulthood. You will be adept at working independently and will have sound knowledge of special educational needs procedures and processes. You will need to communicate confidently with colleagues from across a range of services, including those from education, health and social care in order to signpost to the services and resources that are available to them across the sector. You will support education practitioners to recognise potential unmet needs and to develop effective local inclusive practice through consistent delivery of ordinarily available provision in settings including implementation of the graduated approach (Assess Plan Do Review).

About You:

• Minimum of NVQ 3, or other equivalent qualification with significant experience in a role related to Special Educational Needs.
• Experience of working with children and young people who have SEND within secondary and post 16 settings.
• Knowledge of SEND legislation and procedures.
• Presentation / training delivery skills.
• IT literate with proven ability to use a database and word processing skills.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Organisational skills and an ability to work on own initiative.
• Analytical skills.
• Dynamic and forward thinking.
• Desirable - Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.