At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide specialist education advice to parents of disabled children via phone and email.
- Company: Join a supportive charity dedicated to helping families with disabled children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and a passion for supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 28993 - 36242 £ per year.
Responsible To: Senior Parent Adviser - SEND
Team Membership: Helpline/IAS- (Information, Advice and Family Support Directorate)
Hours: 28 hours a week (4 days)
Salary: Scale 26 £36,242.00 - FTE £28,993.60 – actual salary including inner London weighting
Contract: Fixed term – until 31 March 2027
Location: Central London – Office N1 7EU. (Hybrid working, 1 day working in office). Another working day in the office will be needed during the induction and training period.
Job Purpose: The post’s primary focus is to provide specialist education advice primarily by telephone and email, to parent carers with disabled children in the UK. The post holder will be working on the Contact national helpline service. Service hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm.
Main Duties:
- To respond professionally and with empathy to incoming calls, emails, web form and social media enquiries on SEND and related education issues.
- To deal effectively with enquiries by offering specialist education advice, information and relevant signposting.
- To provide information and signposting on the wider concerns of families with disabled children including health and social care.
- To build positive working relationships with colleagues, contributing to a culture of mutual respect, trust, and shared responsibility.
- To work collaboratively as part of a team, sharing and supporting colleagues to deliver a reliable and responsive helpline service.
- To respect diverse experiences and perspectives within the team and contribute constructively to problem‑solving and decision‑making.
- To enter accurate enquiry data on the Contact database in a timely manner ensuring appropriate follow up actions to calls and accurate written notes.
- To keep up to date on law and guidance relevant to education in England and to be aware of education law relating to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- To communicate, be flexible and responsive, with team members, to ensure coverage of the helpline rota.
- To ensure the helpline operates in accordance with confidentiality, safeguarding, privacy and data-protection policies and procedures.
- To provide a high-quality service, with commitment to ongoing service development, improvement and good practice.
General duties: In common with all Contact staff, the post holder will be expected to work in accordance with the aims of Contact and to observe the policy and procedures set out by the directors of the charity. The post holder will be expected to assist with any reasonable duty at the request of the line manager for the post. Staff will be expected to attend and participate in Contact staff meetings and the staff annual conference. Staff will be expected to attend training events relevant to their specific responsibilities. Staff will be offered supervision, support and annual appraisal incorporating their training needs.
Parent Advisor - SEND Helpline in London employer: Contact
As a Parent Advisor at our SEND Helpline, you will join a compassionate and dedicated team in Central London, where we prioritise the well-being of families with disabled children. Our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, while our commitment to professional development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth and training. With a culture rooted in respect and collaboration, we strive to create an inclusive environment where your contributions are valued and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Parent Advisor - SEND Helpline in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the SEND sector on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your phone skills! Since this role involves providing advice over the phone, get comfortable with mock calls. Ask friends to role-play as parents needing help, so you can refine your responses and build confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get that interview, make sure to express why you care about supporting families with disabled children. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to the cause.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Contact.
We think you need these skills to ace Parent Advisor - SEND Helpline in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Parent Advisor role. Highlight your experience with SEND and how it aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Show Your Empathy:In your written application, demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by parent carers of disabled children. Use examples that showcase your ability to respond with empathy and professionalism, as these qualities are key to the role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at Contact
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest laws and guidance related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Familiarise yourself with key terms and issues that parents might face, so you can demonstrate your expertise and empathy during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves responding to enquiries via phone and email, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to role-play common scenarios with a friend to get comfortable with how you’d handle different types of calls.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
This position requires collaboration with colleagues, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team before. Highlight your ability to build positive relationships and contribute to a supportive work environment.
✨Prepare Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the helpline service, team dynamics, or ongoing training opportunities. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
