At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with speech and communication needs while guiding families through assessment pathways.
- Company: Brent Council, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, excellent pension, flexible working, and health support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to improving outcomes for young people.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and empower families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with children’s communication needs and strong interpersonal skills required.
Salary range: £52,194 - £55,323 p.a. inc. London weighting pro rata. Contract: 36 month fixed term, end date 31st March 2029. Hours: 36 hours FTE 1.0, term time working (39 weeks). Location: Brent Civic Centre and other locations as required.
We are seeking a skilled and compassionate SEND Communication and Interaction Service Outreach Officer to support children and young people with speech, communication and language needs (SLCN) and to guide families through the assessment pathway for possible autism diagnosis. This is a rewarding and impactful role, working closely with families, schools and a range of professionals to provide specialist advice, build understanding and ensure children receive the right support at the right time. You will play a key role in empowering families and strengthening inclusive practice across Brent.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing specialist advice, guidance and support to schools on meeting the needs of pupils with communication and interaction needs.
- Supporting families through the assessment process, including attending appointments, offering advice and signposting to relevant services.
- Delivering training and workshops for parents, carers and school staff to build understanding and promote effective practice.
- Working collaboratively with settings and families to develop supportive environments and tailored strategies for children.
- Liaising with a wide range of professionals, including therapists, social care and education colleagues, to ensure coordinated support.
- Supporting smooth transition pathways, including referrals into specialist services where appropriate.
- Maintaining accurate records and contributing to service development and improvement.
The Person
We are looking for a knowledgeable and empathetic practitioner with strong experience supporting children and young people with speech, communication and language needs.
Qualifications
- Significant experience working with children and young people with speech, communication and language needs across a range of ages and settings.
- Strong experience of working with families and supporting parents and carers through complex processes.
- Expertise in identifying and supporting communication and interaction needs, including an understanding of diagnostic pathways.
- Confidence delivering training, advice and support to both professionals and families.
- Strong partnership working skills across education, health and care.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Highly organised, able to manage own workload and prioritise effectively.
- Committed to inclusion, safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Benefits
- Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays.
- Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS).
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles.
- Supportive family‑friendly policies for parents, guardians and carers.
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans and season ticket loans.
- Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme and great onsite facilities.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment.
Closing Date
Closing date: Sunday 5th July at 23:59.
Application Guidelines
Along with your CV, you must provide a supporting statement clearly demonstrating how you meet the key criteria. We recommend using examples from your experience to evidence your knowledge, skills and achievements relevant to the role. Please note that CVs alone will not be accepted and applications that do not sufficiently address the essential criteria may not be shortlisted.
Legal and Diversity Statements
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. We positively encourage all applicants to self‑identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section of the application. We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working. As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including non‑visible disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@brent.gov.uk.
SEND Communication and Interaction Service Outreach Officer employer: Brent Council
Brent Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises the well-being of its staff. With generous benefits such as up to 33 days of annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and flexible working options, employees are empowered to balance their professional and personal lives while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Council also fosters professional growth through continuous learning opportunities, ensuring that team members can develop their skills and advance their careers in a rewarding role focused on supporting children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Communication and Interaction Service Outreach Officer
✨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 Communication and Interaction Service Outreach Officer
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.
