At a Glance
- Tasks: Support unpaid carers of children with SEND through community activities and peer support.
- Company: Coram, the UK's oldest children's charity, dedicated to improving lives since 1739.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community support.
- Why this job: Empower carers and help vulnerable children thrive in your community.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in social work, health, or education; experience with SEND is a plus.
Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people. We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime. Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive. Coram Family Lives is part of the Coram group.
We are looking for an experienced, passionate and motivated SEND Family Support Coordinator to join our Carers Support Service in Milton Keynes to play a vital role in supporting unpaid carers who look after children and adults with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and learning difficulties by reducing isolation, building resilience, and helping carers feel supported, connected, and empowered.
As a Family Support Coordinator, you will:
- Provide online and community-based individual and group support to Carers supporting children and adults with SEND and learning difficulties
- Develop themed based peer support groups, workshops, and community-based activities
- Help reduce social isolation by building strong support networks among carers
- Work collaboratively with Carers to identify needs and provide practical and emotional support
- Recruit, train, and support a team of volunteers to deliver community-based support
- Encourage Carers’ engagement and participation within the local community
- Build partnerships with local services and stakeholders to strengthen support pathways
- Work alongside our partner TalkBack and the MK Carers Hub organisations to share
Educated to NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education, or equivalent experience is essential. Experience of working with individuals and/or families with SEND and learning disabilities is desirable.
The salary for 21 hours per week is £15,910.49 per annum.
Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram. If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Registered Charity No. 312278.
SEND Family Support Coordinator employer: Family Lives
Coram is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children and families. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, we foster a supportive work culture that empowers our employees to grow professionally while making a difference in the community. Located in Milton Keynes, the SEND Family Support Coordinator role offers unique opportunities for collaboration with local services and the chance to engage with a passionate team focused on reducing isolation and building resilience among carers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Family Support Coordinator
✨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 Family Lives.
✨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 Family Lives!
✨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 Family Lives, 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 Family Lives 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 Family Support Coordinator
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 Family Lives:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Family Lives! 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 Family Lives
✨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.
