At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage statutory assessments for children with special educational needs.
- Company: Swindon Borough Council, dedicated to transforming local services for the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work-life balance, and ongoing personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Join us at an exciting time of transformation and growth in Swindon.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the lives of children and young people in Swindon.
- Qualifications: Experience in special educational needs and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35412 - 35412 £ per year.
Salary: £35,412 p.a. plus benefits - (Pro Rata)
Please note: 3.3% national pay award increase to be applied in October.
30 hours per week
Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that's who we're doing it for - the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you'll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It's all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability service are part of Swindon's Prevention and Communities Directorate and are responsible for managing all statutory assessment processes for SEND across the Council and take a lead across the action plan for SEND improvement in the area. We are a friendly, determined and supportive team and actively encourage innovation and great teamwork and partnerships for success. You will work closely within a team of case officers and across the service to ensure a positive, responsive, efficient and timely SEND service that inspires and learns from partners across the area and wider afield. You will directly support and affect the improvement of outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disability.
Responsibilities will include:
- Leading and managing the statutory assessment and plan processes for children and young people with special educational needs as part of a team of case officers.
- Working directly in partnership with parents, children and young people, providers and practitioners to make sure Swindon has an efficient and effective statutory process that continually improves outcomes for the children and young people.
- Promoting and facilitating strengths based, person centred approaches and support effective quality assurance processes and evidence-based decision making for consistency and accountability.
- Championing the potential of all children and young people to succeed.
About you
You will have relevant experience in special educational needs and disability from a health, care and/or education background. A qualification in special educational needs will be an advantage. You will be experienced and confident to work in partnership with a range of different agencies and particularly with those with lived experience of SEND services. Possessing excellent communication skills and organisational skills you will enjoy being part of a high achieving team and will be able to work effectively and efficiently under pressure. You will be competent in working with an electronic case management system and have a good level of computer skills. You will be committed to being a learning practitioner and to building and supporting the professional development and understanding of special educational needs in others. You will have a focused work ethic and set high standards for the service you provide.
You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act "for the effective performance of a customer-facing role").
Your next package
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details. As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance. For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It's why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you'll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We'll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we'll achieve our vision of a prosperous, re-vitalised Swindon together. And you'll be proud to say it was made better with you.
Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.
Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we'd love to hear from you.
For further information about the role, please contact Andrew Orr, Service Manager - SEND at AOrr@swindon.gov.uk
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk
Closing date: 11 October 2026
Interview date: 21 October 2026
SEND Case Officer in Swindon employer: Swindon Borough Council
Swindon Borough Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming service delivery for the community. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of residents while enjoying a range of benefits. Join us in our mission to create a better quality of life for everyone in Swindon, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Case Officer in Swindon
✨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 Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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 Case Officer in Swindon
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 Swindon Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Swindon Borough 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 Swindon Borough 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.
