At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting young people with special educational needs and coordinate local SEND strategies.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire County Council's dynamic Children's Services team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of shaping local services during exciting organisational changes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people with SEND.
- Qualifications: Five years' experience in SEND and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 61460 - 61460 £ per year.
**Starting Salary:** £55,582 progressing to £61,460 per annum
**Hours:** 37
**Location:** Countywide travel expected. Base: Farnham House / Apsley
**Contract Type:** Permanent
**Directorate:** Children's Services
**About the team**
We are excited to share that we are expanding our team. We are seeking dynamic individuals, experienced in supporting young people with special educational needs, to join our team as SEND Information Advice and Guidance Officers. In this role you will lead a small team that acts as a bridge between services, schools, young people and families, providing support with the implementation of SEND strategies. This is a county wide team that offers advice and support to develop good inclusive practice. Through the ASK SALI (SEND Advice Line for Inclusion) we are a point of contact for professionals to offer guidance, support and partnership work. We are pivotal in ensuring partnership work across the county with professionals from education, health and social care. We work in local areas, which enables us to build knowledge and connection in localities so that we have strong working relationships that ensure we keep the child and family at the centre of all we do. We focus on inclusion and ensuring our children with SEND receive the right support at the right time and as early as possible.
**About the role**
We staff the ASK Sali (SEND Advice Line for Inclusion) phone line and offer support to schools and families to ensure their children have the right support at the right time. We are the link between services focusing on early intervention and good SEND practice.
- You will manage a small team in one of the local areas and support that area in partnership with colleagues in education and from health and social care.
- You will coordinate the work requests for your team in the local area.
- You will carry out face to face meetings with settings.
- You will chair the SEND local Triage and have a depth of knowledge of the SEND practice and needs in your local area working in partnership with colleagues including the Developing Specialist Provision Locally Managers and SEND Leads.
- You will be a core member of the Experts at Hand Teams as we mobilise these across the County.
- You will attend decision making panels and bring your depth of knowledge and expertise in SEND to the discussion informing robust decision making.
- You will represent the service in a wide range of forums.
**About you**
**Essential:**
- An extensive in-depth knowledge of SEND with a minimum of five years’ experience in SEND or within a setting e.g. school, nursery, college, care home.
- Strong leadership skills and a solution focused approach to problem solving.
- Exceptional skill in building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, instilling confidence and clarity so that interventions are effectively delivered.
- Knowledge and experience of inclusive strategies, reasonable adjustment, and child development.
- Knowledge of law and procedures governing EHCP provision including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEN Code of Practice 2014 and the Equalities Act 2010.
- Excellent organisation skills including an ability to work unsupervised, systematically and an ability to manage constraints and conflicting demands and work to tight deadlines.
- Excellent customer service skills using verbal and written communication methods.
- Confident in the use of data and wider intelligence, using these to help shape the development of the service and drive improvement.
- Excellent IT skills including the ability to compile reports, analyse data and ensure the respective database is used to plan and monitor to meet deadlines.
- An ability to manage a budget and work within financial constraints.
**Desirable:**
- A creative thinker who can support settings develop good inclusive practice.
- Passionate about supporting and encouraging our young people with SEND to reach their full potential, including living independently where possible.
- Commitment to working with a strengths-based approach and being solution-focused.
- Strong communication skills, demonstrating empathy, curiosity and relationship-based practice.
- Ability to have reflective conversations.
- Ability to build positive networks within schools, the Council, partner agencies and local communities.
- Take a proactive approach and support the team’s learning and insights. Sharing learning with SENCOs and colleagues.
This is a role that enables you to use your creative skills to make a difference and be part of the SEND Reforms as we shape services. The flexibility of hybrid working gives you the opportunity to work from home, the office or in settings. There are a wide range of opportunities for professional development and opportunities to implement new approaches and expand your knowledge and experience in SEND.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is Level 13.
**Interview Date:** 26th and 27th November 2026
**Benefits of working for us**
**How to apply**
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
**Additional information**
Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), creating a unique opportunity to help shape the future of local services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
SEND Information Advice Guidance Officer in England employer: Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. As part of the Post Hospital Review Team in Hemel Hempstead, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of adults transitioning from hospital to community, while benefiting from a collaborative environment that encourages growth and innovation in health and social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Information Advice Guidance Officer in England
✨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 Hertfordshire.
✨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 Hertfordshire!
✨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 Hertfordshire, 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 Hertfordshire 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 Information Advice Guidance Officer in England
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 Hertfordshire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hertfordshire! 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 Hertfordshire
✨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.
