At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide one-to-one support for children and families with special educational needs.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading community in children's services with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30-35 days annual leave, pension, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel; dynamic team environment focused on positive outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEND or related fields; willingness to learn about SEND law.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Contract: Part Time, 12-month fixed-term contract, maternity cover
Base Location: Home-based, with expected travel to regular meetings within Richmond and Kingston
Benefits:
- ~30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service
- ~ Bank Holidays
- ~ Company Pension
- ~ Life Assurance x2
- ~ Employee Discount Scheme
- ~ Medical Cash Plan
We are Polaris, one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's services providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as leaving care services, education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for each and every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and believe in their futures.
SENDIASS services are part of the children's services branch of Polaris. PCS SENDIASS provides timely, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for parents, carers, children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The aim of PCS SENDIASS is to ensure that children and young people with SEND and their families are empowered to play an active and informed role in their education.
We are looking for a SENDIASS Support Worker to join our friendly team based in Richmond and Kingston on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The successful applicant will have a track record or personal experience in special educational needs, disabilities, education, health or social care. They will provide customers with confidential, impartial, one-to-one support on issues relating to SEND.
Responsibilities include:
- Have a qualification in SEND law or be willing to work towards achieving IPSEA SEN Law Training at Level 1, 2 and 3 within the first year of employment
- Strong knowledge of the London Boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames, including an understanding of local communities, services, schools and support networks
- Confident working with Outlook, Microsoft packages and databases
- Provide individual support to a caseload of children and young people with SEND and/or their parents
- Support customers with common topics including EHCP applications, SEND tribunals, attendance issues, social care provision, exclusions and SEN support
- Provide support including explaining documents, co-writing applications, attending meetings or mediation with the customer, monitoring deadlines on the customer's behalf, and supporting or representing the customer at any stage of the SENDIST appeal process
- Help customers to have clear expectations of your role by using 'What to Expect' eligibility criteria and outcomes documents to agree the purpose and boundaries of the support you provide
- Explain and refer to relevant SEND legislation and policy when providing advice or support, for example the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 2014, Equality Act 2010, Care Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2014 and SEN Support Guidance
- Spend time understanding the barriers customers face, identifying and advocating for things that will enable them to engage with SEND services, such as translation services, accessible forms, specific communication provision and emotional support
- Proactively support children, young people and/or their parents to self-advocate as much as possible
- Work at least one advice shift per week, answering phone calls and emails to the Polaris SENDIASS helplines
- Listen generously to parents, carers and young people who contact the helpline, providing information and advice that enables callers to self-advocate
- Make an accurate record of your advice and support
- Continuously maintain database records, including duration of contact with cases, individual case details and documents relating to casework
- Cultivate professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, including Local Authority SEN teams, to achieve swift and positive outcomes for children and young people
- Contribute to the development of content and resources for the SENDIASS website and social media
Polaris Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children's Services. Polaris Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Contact Details:
Polaris Children's Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker (Permanent, Contract, Part Time) in Teddington
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Polaris Children's Services, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Polaris Children's Services. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Polaris Children's Services's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker (Permanent, Contract, Part Time) in Teddington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Polaris Children's Services. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Polaris Children's Services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Children's Services
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Polaris Children's Services.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Support Worker (Permanent, Contract, Part Time) at Polaris Children's Services.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Polaris Children's Services that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Support Worker (Permanent, Contract, Part Time) role.
