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- Tasks: Lead social care initiatives for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- Company: Slough Children First, dedicated to improving outcomes for young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, flexible working, and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while driving positive change.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, SEND knowledge, and strong partnership skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a friendly environment and great colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 54556 - 60085 £ per year.
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)? Slough Children First (SCF) is seeking a Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) to lead the development and delivery of social care elements within our SEND strategy. In this pivotal role, you will drive high-quality, inclusive services for children and young people with SEND.
Acting as a key link between senior leaders, operational teams, partner agencies and the community, you will champion collaboration, co-production, and early intervention to strengthen family resilience. You will ensure compliance with legislation and raise the profile of SEND strategically and operationally, informing service direction through data-driven insights and embedding a strengths-based approach that empowers families.
As our DSCO role, you will represent Slough at regional and national forums, influence policy, and share best practice. Success in this role requires strong partnership skills, expert knowledge of social care and SEND processes, and the ability to lead cultural change. You will be social work qualified and registered with Social Work England and have an in-depth understanding of SEND legislation and social care frameworks.
You will have a proven ability to lead strategic initiatives and influence stakeholders, as well as possessing strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ultimately, you will have a clear commitment to inclusion, independence, and positive life outcomes for our children and young people.
We work on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 2 days per week based in the office.
In Return, We Can Offer You:
- Training and development opportunities
- Agile working supported by technology
- Flexible working policies
- Friendly working environment and great colleagues
Location & Salary:
Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough, Berkshire, United Kingdom - SL1 2EL
£54,556 - £60,085 per year (including local weighting)
Permanent - Full-time
Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) (perm) employer: Slough Children First
Contact Detail:
Slough Children First Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) (perm)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care and SEND sectors. Attend local events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Slough Children First and their SEND strategy. Understand their values and how they align with your passion for improving outcomes for children and young people. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work that demonstrate your knowledge of SEND legislation and social care frameworks. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with real-life experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who are ready to champion collaboration and co-production in our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) (perm)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND shine through. We want to see your commitment to inclusion and how you can make a difference in their lives.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to showcase your social work qualifications and any relevant experience you have with SEND legislation and social care frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so don’t hold back on your achievements!
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves informing service direction through data-driven insights, include examples of how you've used data to influence decisions or improve services in your previous roles. We love a good analytical mind!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Slough Children First
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) legislation and frameworks. Being able to discuss specific policies and how they impact children and families will show that you're not just familiar with the role, but genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Partnership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders in the past. Whether it's working with senior leaders, operational teams, or community partners, demonstrating your ability to build strong relationships will be key in this role.
✨Data-Driven Insights Matter
Be ready to talk about how you've used data to inform service direction or improve outcomes in previous roles. Highlighting your analytical skills and how you've applied them to drive change will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Articulate your dedication to promoting inclusion and independence for children and young people. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that reflect your commitment to these values, as they'll want to see that you align with their mission at Slough Children First.