SEND Careers Support Officer in Basildon

The SEND Careers Advice Service forms part of Preparing for Adulthood under SEND Strategy & Innovation, supporting children and young people aged 0 to 25 years who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and their families.

Under the direction of the SEND Careers Leads, the SEND Careers Support Officer will undertake participation tracking and reporting, alongside providing initial Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 13 – 25, and their support networks where required. You will contribute to raising aspirations, improving personal confidence and removing barriers to progression. The SEND Careers Support Officer will work in a person-centred way, ensuring young people are listened to, empowered and supported to achieve their individual goals. A flexible, compassionate and collaborative approach is essential, as is the ability to form positive and supportive relationships with young people aged 13 – 25.

Accountabilities

• Communicate directly with young people with SEND (13–25) and/or their support networks, to gather information on their current situation.
• Provide clear and accessible information, advice and guidance to young people and their support networks, helping them make informed decisions about education, training and employment pathways and signposting to relevant opportunities and support mechanisms.
• Work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders to promote inclusive opportunities and advocate for young people. This will include education provisions, training providers, employers, social care, the Youth Service, and other specialist services.
• Assist SEND Careers Advisors in brokering tailored opportunities that support the Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) pathways.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions, outcomes, and documentation, prepare reports and contribute to data gathering to better understand local needs and inform future planning.
• Manage a small caseload under the supervision of the Senior Lead SEND Careers Advisor, meeting agreed timescales for interventions.
• Assist the SEND Careers Team in the planning and delivery of group workshops, careers events, engagement activities, and working groups as appropriate.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by sharing observations, feedback and suggestions to enhance service delivery.

Skills and Knowledge

• Educated to Level 3 Certificate in Information, Advice, and Guidance (or equivalent).
• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain and update skills, knowledge and professional practice relevant to working with children and young people.
• Experience working with young people with a range of learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
• Clear understanding of relevant legislation including the SEND Code of Practice (2015), Children and Families Act (2014), and the Education Act 1996 & Education and Skills Act 2008.
• Able to work effectively with a range of partners to support effective outcomes in line with differing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to use management information systems and Microsoft Office programs to support the recording of young people’s information.
• A knowledge of person-centred planning to support strengths-based outcomes for young people.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to listen and inform, negotiate and seek solutions to challenging and complex situations.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.