At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families with SEND by providing guidance and managing complex cases.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a leading local authority committed to community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with ongoing training and innovative projects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while growing your expertise.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of SEND legislation and experience in compassionate family support required.
The predicted salary is between 42912 - 49155 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for supporting children, young people, and families with SEND? Can you use your skills and SEND knowledge and experience to empower families to navigate education, health, and care processes? Do you thrive in a collaborative and supportive team environment? If yes, we have the perfect role for you!
Our SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is looking for a passionate and dedicated SEND Information, Advice and Support Advisor to join our amazing team and help make a difference today!
What you'll be doing:
- Provide impartial information, advice, and guidance to children, young people (0–25), and their families in line with the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice, and Equality Act 2010.
- Manage a varied and complex caseload covering a range of issues such as EHCPs, school exclusions, travel assistance appeals, and SEND Tribunal support.
- Be the first point of contact for enquiries, offering sensitive, timely responses.
- Support families at meetings such as Annual Reviews and Team Around the Child discussions.
- Manage and develop the Local Offer website, ensuring up-to-date and accessible information.
- Deliver outreach events, training sessions, and publicity to raise awareness of SEND support.
- Collaborate with parents, carers, professionals, and local organisations to strengthen partnerships and participation.
What we're looking for:
- Knowledgeable in SEND legislation, processes, and best practices.
- Skilled at working directly with families in a compassionate, empowering, and professional way.
- Experienced in managing complex caseloads and providing tailored information, advice and guidance.
- A confident communicator, able to work with diverse stakeholders (families, schools, health professionals).
- Proficient in maintaining online content and comfortable using digital tools, including social media.
- Collaborative, proactive, and committed to continuous professional development.
About the Team:
You’ll join a passionate, experienced team dedicated to supporting families and young people with SEND. We work closely with colleagues across education, health, and social care, promoting partnership working and ensuring the voices of children, young people, and families are heard and valued. Our team culture is supportive and collaborative, offering ongoing opportunities for professional growth, accredited training, and involvement in innovative projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Southwark families - while developing your own expertise in a highly rewarding role.
Employee benefits:
- A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
- Strong supportive senior management team
- Regular one to one supervision
- Professional development & training opportunities
- Agile and flexible working arrangements
- Season ticket and cycle loans
- Annual Leave starting at 29 days per year, increasing to 37 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
- HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
- EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
- Social clubs and staff groups
This role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, with time split between working from home and our Tooley Street offices a minimum of three days per week. This role is based at Tooley Street primarily and in the community in schools. Salary range £42,912 - £49,155 per annum.
Please note this role requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced with Children's barred list.
Disability Confident (guaranteed interview) scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
Recruitment timetable: Closing date: 6th July 2026 at 23:59. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
SEND Information, Advice and Support Advisor employer: Southwark Council
Southwark Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for its SEND Information, Advice and Support Advisors. With a strong commitment to professional development, competitive benefits, and a focus on making a meaningful impact in the lives of families and young people, employees can thrive while contributing to the vibrant community of Southwark. The council's inclusive culture and emphasis on tackling inequalities make it a rewarding place to work, where your efforts truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Information, Advice and Support 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 Southwark Council.
✨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 Southwark Council!
✨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 Southwark Council, 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 Southwark Council 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 SEND Information, Advice and Support 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 Southwark Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southwark Council! 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 Southwark Council
✨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.
