At a Glance
- Tasks: Support parents and young people with special educational needs, providing advice and guidance.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading community dedicated to improving children's lives for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days of annual leave, a pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for professional development and training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while working from home.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEND or related fields; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Base Location
This role is home based but you will be expected to attend meetings up to 10 times per year in the South of England.
Benefits
30 days’ Annual Leave (increasing to 35 days’ with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance x 2, Employee Discount Scheme, Medical Cash Plan
About us
We are Polaris, one of the UK’s largest leading communities of children’s service 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.
PCS SENDIASS
SENDIASS services are part of the Children’s Services branch of Polaris. PCS SENDIASS provide timely, confidential and impartial, information, advice and support for parents, carers, children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
Their aim is to ensure that parents/carers of children with SEND are empowered to play an active and informed role in their child’s education and that young people with SEND have the appropriate information advice and support to raise aspirations and enable them to make decisions on issues relating to preparing for adulthood.
Requirements
We are looking for a SENDIASS Advisor to join our PCS SENDIASS team.
The successful applicant will have a track record or personal experience in special educational needs, disabilities, education, health or social care. You will provide day-to-day support to the parents, carers and the young people, providing confidential, impartial, advice and support to customers on issues relating to SEND.
You will also require the following:
- ISPSEA SEN Law Training at Level 1, 2 and 3 or a commitment to achieve this within your first year of employment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Personal or professional experience of SEND
- Basic knowledge of relevant legislation and policy, particularly the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, Equality Act 2010 and Hampshire SEN Support Guidance.
- Confident working with Microsoft packages, databases and using video conferencing.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team to produce accurate records as well as follow processes under pressure.
Responsibilities
- Work allocated shifts answering phone calls and emails to the SENDIASS helplines for Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the London boroughs of Richmond and Kingston.
- Listen generously to parents, carers and young people who contact the helpline and provide information and advice that enables them to self-advocate. Common topics on which advice is sought are: EHCP’s, SEND Tribunal, Attendance, Exclusion, SEN Support.
- Explain and refer to relevant SEN legislation and policy when providing advice (e.g. Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 2104, Equality Act 2010, Hampshire SEN Support Guidance)
- Analyse and explain the content of SEN assessments and professional reports to enable parents and young people to self-advocate.
- Using set criteria, identify enquiries that need to be allocated to a case worker for additional support.
- Make an accurate record of your advice and use this to continuously maintain database records. This includes calls durations, enquiry topics and individual case details.
- Complete IPSEA level 1, 2 and 3 SEN Law training within the first year of employment.
- Cultivate professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve swift and positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Contribute to the development of content and resources for the SENDIASS websites 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, 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.
SENDIASS Advisor employer: Polaris Community
At Polaris, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the children's services sector, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits including up to 35 days of annual leave, a comprehensive pension scheme, and opportunities for training in SEN law, our team is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across the South of England. Join us in our mission to empower parents and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, while enjoying the flexibility of a home-based role that allows you to balance your personal and professional life effectively.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SENDIASS Advisor
✨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 Polaris Community.
✨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 Polaris Community!
✨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 Polaris Community, 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 Polaris Community 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 SENDIASS Advisor
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 Polaris Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Polaris Community! 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 Polaris Community
✨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.
