At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special educational needs to achieve their learning goals.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to promoting inclusion and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 4 or relevant experience in special needs or local authority.
The predicted salary is between 35451 - 39165 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield Leicester LE3 8RA
Salary: £35,451 - £39,165 Per Annum (Pro rata for part time) (pay Award Pending)
Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 14th June 2026
Interview Date(s): Friday 26th June 2026
About the Role
The Prevention Work Officer role is to ensure that all relevant and appropriate interventions have been put in place to enable Children and Young People (CYP) who require SEN support to achieve their expected learning outcomes. To liaise effectively with parents and young people, schools, and other services to ensure appropriate interventions are in place, and to quality assure the effectiveness of the graduated response within schools and to raise awareness of, and signpost to, relevant local authority guidance.
The role involves:
- Meeting with families and schools to discuss the effectiveness of the SEN Support Plan and opportunities for any additional support, working alongside the Inclusion service, developing innovative and creative solutions to enable the child or young person to achieve their potential.
- Proactively working with families, schools and agencies to ensure that children and young people are appropriately supported with SEN support.
- Working directly with families, schools and other agencies to determine whether an EHCP needs assessment request is appropriate and to assist with the collation of evidence towards the request.
- Considering cases at Request to Assess meetings and to complete any follow-up required to fully inform a decision.
- Under the guidance of the SEND Officer to consider, interpret and analyse requests for Education Health and Care needs assessment in line with legislation and local policy to ensure robust and consistent decisions are made.
- Providing advice to parents, schools and other agencies about SEN Assessment, EHCP processes, Annual Review and LA SEN Policy.
- Promoting Inclusion in all education settings and work in partnership with all agencies to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs are effectively safeguarded, and to take action to refer to appropriate services when necessary.
- Having a thorough understanding of and commitment to personalisation and person-centred approaches and a focus to preparing for adulthood.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- NVQ Level 4 qualification in relevant subject OR demonstrable experience within a special needs context or Local Authority.
- Evidence of ability to extract relevant information from a range of data/ variety of sources, and to present in different formats as appropriate.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the concepts and implications of special education needs.
- The ability to work in partnership with parents and staff from other agencies and enter dialogue and negotiation to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Be highly motivated, flexible, and able to use initiative, dependable and able to meet deadlines when under pressure.
- The ability to inspire confidence in the public and colleagues and be committed to providing high quality public service.
- Be able to work on own initiative and as part of a team and have a strong working knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working?
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:
Frances Shelbourne - Service Manager - Inclusion Service
Email: Frances.shelbourne@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
SEN Prevention & Inclusion Officer in Blaby employer: Leicestershire County Council
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering a supportive work culture that values inclusivity and collaboration. With flexible working options and a commitment to personal development, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs. Located in the heart of Leicester, the council provides a dynamic environment where passionate individuals can thrive while contributing to the community.
Contact Details:
Leicestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEN Prevention & Inclusion Officer in Blaby
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the SEN Code of Practice and the specific needs of children and young people. This will help you speak confidently about how you can make a difference during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with professionals in the field through LinkedIn or local events. Building relationships can lead to insider info about job openings and give you a leg up when applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to SEN support. Think about real-life examples where you've made an impact, as this will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in Leicestershire.
We think you need these skills to ace SEN Prevention & Inclusion Officer in Blaby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of SEN support and your ability to work with families and schools.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through! We want to see your commitment to supporting children and young people with special educational needs, so share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your points are easy to understand. This will help us quickly see how you meet the criteria and why you’d be a great fit for the team.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can to avoid missing out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicestershire County Council
✨Know Your SEN Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of special educational needs and the relevant legislation. Familiarise yourself with the SEN Code of Practice and be ready to discuss how it applies to real-life scenarios. This will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about making a difference.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific instances where you've successfully supported children or young people with SEN. Be ready to share these stories during the interview, highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with families and schools. This will demonstrate your practical experience and commitment to inclusion.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a dialogue. Ask thoughtful questions about the role and the team you'll be working with. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and approach to SEN support.
✨Show Your Flexibility
Since the role may involve flexible working options, be prepared to discuss how you can adapt to different situations and needs. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in your previous roles, demonstrating your ability to remain effective under pressure while still providing high-quality support.