SENDiass Officer in Bournemouth

Starting salary for this role is £32,061 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception, all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward-thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

We are looking to recruit a full-time, permanent SENDiass Officer to the team. The pay range for this role will be £32,061– £36,363 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward-thinking team.

Role Purpose

To deliver quality information, advice and support to parents, carers and young people about education, health and social care for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND), to ensure that families and individuals are able to make informed decisions, and to promote independence and self-advocacy for children and young people. The role will operate under the direction and guidance of the SENDiass Manager.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide confidential and impartial information, advice and support to parents, carers, children and young people, to empower them to make an informed contribution to any decision about educational, health and social care provision related to SEND and ensure their understanding of their legal rights, to achieve positive outcomes.
• This may involve telephone and email support, one-to-one meetings, preparing and reviewing paperwork, writing reports, participating at events, and delivering workshops and training.
• Provide advocacy support for individual children and young people that empowers them to express their views and wishes and helps them to understand and exercise their rights in matters including exclusion, complaints, SEND processes, and SEND appeals.
• Undertake confidential individual case work to support and enable children, young people, parents and carers to be active participants in their SEND provision, the graduated response and statutory processes surrounding that provision.
• This may entail home visits, clinic/drop-in sessions, attending education, health and social care-related meetings in support of children and young people, and signposting to relevant services and support groups.
• Provide information, advice and support to parents, carers and young people throughout SEND tribunal appeals to help them manage and navigate the processes in order to get the best outcomes for the child or young person.
• This will include representation during the hearing if the young person is unable to do so.
• Gather, record and report on children, young people and their families’ views about the SENDiass service, to inform service development and help ensure that services meet the needs of young people.
• This includes creating opportunities to enable their participation in development activity, and working with local forums.
• Contribute to the promotion of the service by producing appropriate reading and listening materials that are in an accessible format for all, including those with additional needs.
• This will involve working with children and young people to design and develop the resources.
• Contribute to the updating and maintenance of all service contacts and outcomes of interventions and support via the service database, to ensure accurate and confidential records are maintained for audit and monitoring purposes.
• Maintain accurate data and use this data to assist the SENDiass Manager in preparing reports that contribute to the development of the service, influence practice in the BCP area, and the involvement of the service in external projects.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Qualification in a relevant subject area or equivalent experience, including IPSEA SEN Adviser's Legal Training Levels 1-3.
• Knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and how these impact on a child or young person’s ability to access educational provision.
• Knowledge of the relevant legislation, frameworks, policies, and procedures relating to Special Educational Needs and safeguarding.
• Experience of working in Special Educational Needs, within a local authority, education setting or other associated discipline.
• Experience of providing information and advice services to children and/or young people.
• Ability to communicate effectively and develop relationships, using knowledge and expertise to provide advice, make recommendations, and cause understanding in others.
• Ability to plan and organise own workload working individually and as part of a team.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help.

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career-defining roles to transform and improve services.

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.