SENDIASS Officer - Barnsley

Location: Barnsley

Position Type: Temporary, Part-time (3 days per week)

Purpose of the Post:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced SENDIASS Officer to join our team on a temporary basis, supporting the needs of the service until July 2025. This part-time role (3 days per week) will focus on delivering high-quality support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring that they receive timely and appropriate assistance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop positive working relationships with pupils, parents, school staff, and external agencies.
• Undertake assessments of children, young people, and families in line with statutory processes and regulations.
• Provide guidance, advice, and information to parents, school staff, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate home-school liaison and ensure SEND support is provided in compliance with relevant legislation.
• Mediation and resolution of disputes between families, schools, and the Local Authority (LA).
• Prepare documentation, witness statements, and represent cases at SEND Tribunal and Mediation.
• Contribute to assessments and placements for pupils with SEND, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Work collaboratively with the wider team and assist with data collection.
• Follow relevant national legislation and council policies, including safeguarding and data protection.
• Work at pace, ensuring the service responds in a timely manner to the needs of families, ensuring that cases move forward effectively.

Key Requirements:

• SEND Expertise: Strong, up-to-date knowledge of SEND, particularly the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Co-Productive Working: Ability to work collaboratively with families in a productive and supportive manner, respecting their roles in decision-making.
• Experience in SENDIASS: Experience working within a SENDIASS setting, with a deep understanding of the SENDIASS role and responsibilities.
• Experience with Case Work and Appeals: Ability to undertake case work, complete appeal paperwork, and work efficiently, particularly over the phone or via virtual platforms (Teams) with parents and carers.
• Working at Pace: The ability to respond quickly and effectively to urgent cases, ensuring that families feel listened to, supported, and confident that their situation is progressing.
• Engagement and Sensitivity: Skilled at engaging with families in a meaningful, sensitive, and consistent manner, particularly in challenging or complex cases.

Education and Training Requirements:

• 4 GCSEs (Grades A-C) or equivalent.
• NVQ Level 4 Qualification in a relevant field, or extensive equivalent experience.
• Completion of IASS legal training (Level 1, 2, and 3) or willingness to undertake training.

Relevant Experience:

• Extensive experience in delivering SEND Information, Advice, and Support (IASS).
• Knowledge and experience of interpreting and delivering SEND legislation.
• Experience of working with children, young people, and their families.
• Ability to work independently and conduct home visits.
• Competence in engaging families and conducting comprehensive assessments.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with stakeholders.
• Ability to produce comprehensive reports and communicate effectively.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, managing a caseload and meeting deadlines.
• Highly innovative methods of engaging children and parents to ensure educational success.
• Ability to promote and deliver services based on anti-oppressive practice.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to work flexibly to meet operational needs.
• Commitment to training and continuous professional development.

Why Join Us?

We are committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND. If you have a passion for supporting families and making a difference in the educational experience of SEND pupils, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. This is a busy and fast-paced environment, so we need someone who can quickly react to the needs of the service and families while maintaining a high standard of work.

How to Apply: If you'd like further information, please contact Emily @ Service Care Solutions.