At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEND during critical transitions in their education journey.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to improving outcomes for young people with SEND.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible bank holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while collaborating with schools and agencies.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of SEND legislation and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
As a Statutory Assessment & Monitoring (SAM) Officer - 0-25 Transitions, you will play a key role in supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at critical transition points throughout their education journey.
You will:
- Manage Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessment and review processes for children and young people at key transition stages.
- Work directly with schools, settings, families and partner agencies to ensure smooth and successful transitions.
- Oversee annual reviews of EHC Plans and ensure statutory timescales are met.
- Support the placement planning process, ensuring children and young people receive appropriate provision and support.
- Act as a link officer for a group of schools and educational settings.
- Work with independent providers and colleagues across education, health and social care to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Provide advice, guidance, training and modelling of best practice to schools and settings.
- Ensure cases are progressed through the appropriate consultation and panel processes.
This is a highly collaborative role requiring excellent organisational skills, strong communication and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Please note we have two posts available - x1 permanent contract and x1 Maternity cover position until September 2027. Interviews will take place on 3rd & 4th September.
All about our Team
The Statutory Assessment and Monitoring Service sits within SEN & Inclusion Services and is committed to ensuring that children and young people with SEND receive the right support, at the right time, in the right educational setting.
Our team works closely with:
- Children, young people and their families.
- Early years settings, schools, colleges and independent providers.
- Educational Psychology, health and social care professionals.
- Other local authority services and partner organisations.
We are passionate about delivering high-quality SEND services, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and helping children and young people achieve positive educational, developmental and life outcomes. The service values collaboration, professionalism, inclusivity and a solution-focused approach to overcoming challenges and supporting successful transitions.
All about You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and who can build positive relationships with families, schools and partner agencies.
You will bring:
- Knowledge
- A strong understanding of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act and the SEND Code of Practice.
- Knowledge of effective SEND practice, particularly in relation to transition planning.
- An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and inclusive practice.
- Skills and Abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- The ability to explain complex SEND information clearly and confidently.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and statutory deadlines.
- A professional, solution-focused approach.
- Good presentation, training and relationship-building skills.
- Confidence using ICT systems and maintaining accurate records.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality outcomes.
- Experience
- Experience working within education, health or social care environments.
- Experience analysing information and making informed decisions.
- Experience presenting information to a variety of audiences.
- Experience supporting, training or modelling good practice for others.
- Qualifications
- Professional qualifications in education, health or social care would be advantageous.
You will be someone who thrives on partnership working, is committed to inclusion and can make a positive difference in the lives of children, young people and their families.
Our Benefits
We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays, sick pay and local government pension scheme:
- Access to a range of benefits via our Employee Benefits Platform, including in-store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes.
- Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro-rata).
- Access to car lease scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances.
- Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
- Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network.
- Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards.
Our Commitments
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.
We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are a person who has or considers yourself to have a disability and you require reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact pccrecruitment@peterborough.gov.uk.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Sam Officer - Transitions in Peterborough employer: Peterborough First group
At Peterborough City Council's Transfer of Care Team, we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our team not only enjoys a friendly culture filled with fun and cake but also offers numerous benefits such as flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and access to an Employee Benefits Platform that enhances your work-life balance. Join us in our mission to support adult service users and experience a rewarding career where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sam Officer - Transitions in Peterborough
✨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 Peterborough First 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 Peterborough First group!
✨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 Peterborough First group, 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 Peterborough First 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 Sam Officer - Transitions in Peterborough
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 Peterborough First group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Peterborough First 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 Peterborough First 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.
