At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities by connecting families with essential services.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to improving local community outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on collaboration and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications or significant experience in health, social care, or youth work.
The predicted salary is between 36621 - 40458 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA
Salary: £36,621 - £40,458 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
Working Hours: 37 per week
Contract Type: Fixed term- until 31st March 2029
Closing Date: 20 September 2026
About the Role
Locality SEND Navigator (7 available posts): Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? We are looking for a proactive and collaborative Locality SEND Navigator to become the first point of contact for families, schools and professionals, helping them to access the rights support at the right time. Working as part of our innovative Experts at Hand model, you will bring together education, health, social care and community partners to strengthen inclusion, promote early intervention and support mainstream settings to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference by helping shape local partnerships, improving access to services and supporting positive outcomes for families across your locality.
About You
- Relevant qualification at BTEC, NVQ Level 4 or above (or equivalent) in an appropriate field such as health and social care, social sciences or youth and community work, or significant relevant experience.
- Experience of working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.
- Proven experience of multi-agency working, partnership coordination and building effective relationships across education, health, social care, voluntary sector organisations and families.
- Knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, and the wider education, health and social care systems that support children and young people.
- Experience of providing advice, guidance and support to families, professionals and partner organisations, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, meet deadlines and contribute to service improvement or change initiatives.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify trends and use insights to inform service delivery and locality planning.
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: Lucy Dearden - Service Manager for Education Quality, Performance and Change Telephone: 0116 3052737 Email: Lucy.Dearden@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.
For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site. 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.
Locality SEND Navigator in Glenfield employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where Occupational Therapists can make a real difference in the lives of adults and children. With a strong emphasis on collaboration across health, housing, and social care teams, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while positively impacting the community.
Contact Details:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Locality SEND Navigator in Glenfield
✨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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group.
✨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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group 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 Locality SEND Navigator in Glenfield
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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group! 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 Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨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.
