At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with SEND in their transition to adulthood and inclusive education.
- Company: Bracknell Forest Council, a supportive and stable workplace.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, career development, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to learning and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in education or psychology and experience in post-16 settings.
The predicted salary is between 46693 - 52327 £ per year.
Location: Bracknell, UK
Salary: 46,693 - 52,327 per year
Employment: Flexible
Category: Youth Work
Posted: 2026-08-03
Valid to: 2026-08-24
Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
Are you passionate about helping young people with SEND prepare for adulthood and achieve positive futures? This is an opportunity to use your expertise to influence inclusive post-16 practice, work alongside education settings and partners and make a meaningful difference to young people as they progress towards education, employment, independence and adult life.
At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service. This role includes an expectation to work three to four days per week across our Child Development Centre and education settings, with one day per week working from home, subject to service requirements and operational needs.
This role will work across both the new E@H service and the established Educational Psychology Service.
About you…
You will play a key role in Bracknell Forest's SEND reform and 0–25 system development as the Post-16 SEND and Preparing for Adulthood Advisor within the newly established Experts at Hand service. Working as part of the integrated central hub, you will collaborate with colleagues across education, health, social care, careers and employment services to promote inclusive post-16 practice and improve Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes for young people with SEND.
Working directly with schools, colleges, independent training providers and other post-16 settings, you will help build their capacity to identify and meet the needs of young people with SEND as they move into further education, training, employment and adult life.
You will hold a recognised professional qualification in education, psychology or another relevant discipline aligned to this role. You will have an in-depth understanding of the local graduated approach, national SEND legislation and extensive experience of working within post-16 education settings.
Using a targeted approach based on mentoring, coaching, professional reflection and workforce development, you will support education providers to develop practical, evidence-informed approaches to transition planning, emotional wellbeing, independence, communication, employment readiness and sustained participation.
You will be a skilled relationship builder who is confident working across organisational boundaries and influencing practice through collaboration rather than direct case management. You will be reflective, solution-focused and committed to improving outcomes for young people with SEND through capacity building, inclusive practice and effective multi-agency working.
About the team…
Experts at Hand is a new multidisciplinary service established in response to the Government's ambitious SEND reform programme, which aims to increase the number of children and young people with SEND whose needs can be met within their local education settings. The team includes educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, SEND advisors and outreach practitioners from local specialist schools. Based at the Child Development Centre, the team spends most of its time working directly alongside schools, colleges and other education providers.
Key responsibilities…
- Build post-16 SEND and PfA practice capacity through Experts at Hand.
- Strengthen transition planning and preparation for adulthood.
- Promote inclusive post-16 practice and sustained engagement.
- Provide mentoring, coaching and professional reflection.
- Strengthen multi-agency collaboration around post-16 SEND and PfA.
- Facilitate shared learning and consistent practice.
Our benefits…
- 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
- Paid employee volunteering scheme.
- Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
- Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
- Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
Our values
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process.
Disability confident and inclusive recruitment
Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive employer. This means that if you tell us on your application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Interview date
Interview date to be confirmed. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment. We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.
Want to ask us a question?
For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact: Catherine Reynolds Principal Educational Psychologist: Catherine.reynolds@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check as part of our pre-employment checks process.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK. Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.
No agencies please.
Post 16 and Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Advisor - Experts at Hand team (pay award pending) in Bracknell employer: Bracknell Forest Council
Bracknell Forest Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals facing addiction challenges. With extensive training programmes, generous leave policies, and opportunities for career development, employees can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to the well-being of the community in Bracknell. The council's commitment to employee welfare, including hybrid working options and a strong emphasis on work-life balance, makes it an attractive place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Post 16 and Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Advisor - Experts at Hand team (pay award pending) in Bracknell
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bracknell Forest Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bracknell Forest Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bracknell Forest Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bracknell Forest Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Post 16 and Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Advisor - Experts at Hand team (pay award pending) in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bracknell Forest Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bracknell Forest Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bracknell Forest Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
