Lead SEND Adviser

Job Summary

Are you a proactive, analytical and compassionate individual with a proven record of successfully supporting young people with SEND within an educational setting or alternative provision? Do you have strong experience of working with children and young people who have learning difficulties, disabilities, mental health and / or have spent time in care?

If so, St Giles is looking for a Lead SEND Adviser to work directly with children and young people and use the knowledge gained from these interactions, our own data and your previous experience to influence systems, commissioning and services for children and young people.

About St Giles Trust

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this exciting opportunity

This key role will see our successful candidate oversee the strategic development of the Alliance service Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision with the aim of maximising the progress of young people coming into contact with the service with SEND, including personal and social development. You will also provide advocacy to support young people to re-enter mainstream education when required and ensure education providers carry out their statutory responsibilities regarding young people with Statement of Special Educational Needs, feeding into EHCPs.

We will also count on you to support and upskill Alliance staff in understanding the needs of SEND pupils, to develop plans to improve the support that the various systems around the child or young person can offer by increasing understanding of the child / young person and their individual needs, plus support young people to undertake assessments to identify potential learning needs and neurodiversity.

What we are looking for

• Teacher qualified or similar professional qualification
• Experience of working on a target-driven project and a proven ability to manage a caseload
• Proven record of engaging young people via outreach and promotion
• Experience of supporting children and young people who are neurodiverse to thrive
• Experience working alongside the partnerships that exist to support neurodiverse children and young people
• Exemplary knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice
• Knowledge of the range of assessments available to identify potential SEND Young people
• Excellent IT, prioritisation, interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written
• A flexible, collaborative and professional approach to your work

As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will require an Enhanced Child and Adult with Child Barred DBS Check.

We actively encourage people with personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.