At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families of children with special educational needs and strengthen home-school relationships.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at a specialist SEND school.
- Benefits: Opportunity for professional development and a fulfilling role in education.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for training and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families and students with complex needs.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEN and a passion for supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are seeking a compassionate, proactive, and experienced Parent Support Advisor to join our dedicated team within a specialist SEND school from September 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in supporting families of children with special educational needs and disabilities, helping to strengthen home-school relationships and improve outcomes for our students. You will act as a key point of contact for parents and carers, providing guidance, emotional support, and practical advice to help them navigate challenges both in and outside of school.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build positive, trusting relationships with parents and carers
- Provide advice, support, and signposting to relevant services and agencies
- Work closely with school staff, including SENCOs, safeguarding leads, and pastoral team
- Support attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing initiatives
- Assist families in understanding SEND processes (EHCPs, reviews, support strategies)
- Organise parent workshops, drop-in sessions, and support groups
- Liaise with external professionals such as social services, health services, and local authorities
- Maintain accurate records and ensure confidentiality at all times
Essential Criteria:
- Committed to providing the best possible educational opportunities for families of children with severe and complex learning difficulties
- Enthusiastic and motivated to work alongside other school staff and other professionals to deliver and support learning programmes tailored to individual pupil needs
- Supportive of the school’s values and ethos, and eager to contribute to our whole-school approach
- Committed to safeguarding and child protection procedures
- Open to training related to Autism, behaviours that challenge (Team Teach), and other complex needs
- Confident, self-motivated, and capable of working independently and using initiative to ensure positive outcomes for students
- Committed to continuous professional development and self-evaluation
- Flexible and able to travel between the Oakfield Park Sites and attend off-site meetings as required
- Experienced in working with families and students with special educational needs (SEN)
Desirable (Training can be provided):
- Relevant qualifications: Safeguarding, Working with Families, Level 3 qualification or above relevant to post
- Experience using a recognised form of sign language (e.g., Makaton, BSL) and other communication methods
Parent Support Advisor in Cudworth employer: Oakfield Park School
Join our dedicated team at a specialist SEND school, where we prioritise compassion and support for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Our work culture fosters collaboration and continuous professional development, ensuring that you have the resources and training to thrive in your role as a Parent Support Advisor. Located in a nurturing environment, we offer unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact on students' lives while enjoying a supportive community that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Parent Support Advisor in Cudworth
✨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 Oakfield Park School.
✨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 Oakfield Park School!
✨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 Oakfield Park School, 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 Oakfield Park School 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 Parent Support Advisor in Cudworth
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 Oakfield Park School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oakfield Park School! 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 Oakfield Park School
✨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.
