At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children/young people in building independence through travel training around the city.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within the Special Educational Needs Department.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Creative role with opportunities for community engagement and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives by helping them gain confidence and independence.
- Qualifications: Experience with children or young people with additional needs is desirable.
The predicted salary is between 39152 - 41771 £ per year.
Full Time / 37 Hours Per Week / Permanent
The key purpose of this role is to manage a complex caseload of children/young people who are open to the Special Educational Needs Department, supporting them with building their independence travelling around the city. You will be responsible for supporting children/young people working on their independence skills in getting around the city using public transport in order to widen their skills and abilities to travel independently.
You will also be responsible for training other professionals such as SEND support staff in educational settings to widen out services into the community and support more children/young people in finding their independence travelling around the city. Additionally, you will be responsible for detailed case notes to monitor the children/young people you are supporting, creating risk assessments, developing contingency plans, and working alongside the children/young people and their families in creating these with them.
This role will allow workers to be hands-on with the children/young people you are supporting, going out into the community, educational settings, and all the fun that this includes. You will also be supporting the creation of the independent travel training service, which is a new service within the city council, providing firsthand opportunities to develop this alongside your colleagues and team manager.
This is a Monday to Friday contract from 8:30am-5pm, with Fridays ending at 4:30pm. You may be expected to work out of hours for school open days and community fundraisers to share your experiences within the service with others; however, this is not something that would happen often, and the responsibilities will be shared within the team.
Due to the nature of this job, you will spend the majority of your time in the community; however, working from home and office days will be included.
What You’ll Be Doing
You could expect some of your days to look like travelling the city using public buses with children/young people, supporting them with identifying key locations, talking to bus drivers, and building on their independence and life skills. Some days may involve administering days, creating new workshop sessions, risk assessments, and contingency plans, alongside attending team meetings and speaking to external staff such as schools and colleges, as well as engaging in multi-agency work with other services within the special educational needs department.
You could expect to attend meetings with your team, manager, and service manager, as well as meetings with multi-agency staff such as health, education, and other services within the special educational needs department that support the children/young people on your caseload. You will need to be creative and adaptable in your work, advocating for the children/young people you are supporting and presenting professionally in the community, as you will be representing the service on a day-to-day basis.
The aim is to achieve independence for the children/young people and families we support, providing them with life skills and knowledge to navigate the city on their own and overcome barriers faced by children/young people with special educational needs.
What You’ll Need
You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with people of all ages and abilities. You should be confident in delivering one-to-one training and adapting your approach to meet individual needs. Relevant experience supporting children, young people, or adults with additional needs, disabilities, or learning difficulties is highly desirable. Experience working in education, social care, community services, or travel training would be an advantage but not essential, along with a good understanding of road safety, public transport, and risk assessment.
You will be patient, empathetic, reliable, and encouraging, with a calm and positive attitude. You should be able to work independently, manage your own workload, and respond effectively to changing situations. Strong organisational and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to maintain accurate records and communicate effectively with families, schools, colleagues, and partner organisations.
A commitment to promoting independence, inclusion, and equal opportunities is essential, together with a genuine passion for helping people develop the confidence and skills to travel safely and independently. Key behaviours include integrity, professionalism, empathy, patience, adaptability, and a strong commitment to promoting independence, inclusion, and equality. You should be proactive, customer-focused, and dedicated to helping people gain the confidence and skills to travel safely and independently while ensuring high-quality service delivery.
Region: Central
Location: Sulgrave Road
Salary: GBP 39,152 - GBP 41,771 Per Year
Package: Total benefit value (includes pension contribution and full holiday entitlement): GBP 56,957.66
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
Senior Independent Travel Coach in Leicester employer: Leicester City Council
Leicester City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Trainee Accountant, you will benefit from a structured training programme, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on real projects while enjoying flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave. With a clear pathway to a permanent qualified accountant role, this position not only provides valuable experience but also fosters ambition and leadership in the finance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Independent Travel Coach in Leicester
✨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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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 Senior Independent Travel Coach in Leicester
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 Leicester City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leicester City 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 Leicester City 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.
