At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children with special educational needs in a vibrant London borough.
- Company: Join Brent Council, a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to community transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, flexible working, and health support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a SEND Officer with strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 43449 - 46161 £ per year.
Salary range: £43,449 - £46,161 p.a. inc. London weighting
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic centre and other locations from time to time
Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here. The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
The Post
We are looking for 3 experienced SEND Officers to join our friendly team. You will be permanent members of our supportive team of SEND Officers working with a diverse range of families, children and young people in Brent. Case loads are high and in excess of 300 per case officer and the work is complex and has just been further complicated by change at a national level. You will be responsible for carrying out initial needs assessments as well as contributing to the phase transfer process each year alongside making sure that you take time each week to focus on processing annual reviews.
We are moving to a cluster based model where you will have a range of allocated schools either in one of the four local Brent clusters or be part of the out of borough cluster working with schools in our neighbouring authorities and independent and non-maintained schools further afield.
The Person
You will be an experienced SEND Officer with an in depth understanding of the legislation that underpins all the work we do in SEND and how these interrelate (0-25 SEND Code of Practice 2015, Children and Families Act 2024, Equality Act 2010). You will need highly developed communication skills and be able to interact successfully with a range of people at all levels including medical Consultants, Head Teachers, Senior Social Workers, Families in Brent for whom English is not their first language, Families who will need support to understand the SEND system and how to navigate it and your colleagues and partners in the SEND System which includes parents, schools, social care and health. It will be important that you are independent in maintaining your wellbeing and are able to pay attention to your resilience levels as this is a demanding role. The team you are joining are very supportive of each other and we welcome someone with the ability to add to that supportive ethos.
We know people do their best work when they feel valued, supported and able to grow. At Brent, you will benefit from:
- 27 days' annual leave, rising with length of service, plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
- Supportive family-friendly policies, including carers’ leave, paternity leave and compassionate leave for eligible employees
- Health and wellbeing support, including eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial wellbeing support, including education sessions, childcare deposit loans and season ticket loans
- Travel support, including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme and onsite facilities
- Learning and development opportunities to support your career
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment
Please note that employees must have successfully completed their probationary period before applying for this vacancy.
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects the people we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and encourage applicants to complete the diversity survey section of the application. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. We expect all employees to demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promote inclusive, non-discriminatory practices in their work. This commitment forms part of our recruitment process, and candidates may be assessed on their understanding of and ability to contribute to an inclusive working environment.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. This includes people with hidden disabilities, long-term health conditions, diagnoses and mental health conditions. We also guarantee an interview to care-experienced applicants who meet the essential criteria. Information shared for this purpose will be treated fairly and used only to confirm eligibility under these schemes.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.
Locations: Brent Civic Centre, HA9 0FJ, GB
SEND Officer in London employer: Brent Council
Brent Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, staff are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact in the community by supporting families and children with complex needs. The collaborative culture within the Early Years Inclusion Support Team ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to the well-being of the borough's youngest residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Officer in London
✨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 Brent 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 Brent 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 Brent 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 Brent 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 SEND Officer in London
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 Brent Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Brent 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 Brent 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.
