SEND Advocate in Chesterfield

Fantastic Opportunity to join our Team

We are seeking an empathetic, optimistic and friendly SEND Practitioner to join our small but passionate and dedicated team.

You will provide critical and vital support to parents/carers and young people to have their needs met.

This is a rewarding role supporting children, young people and their families to navigate the SEND system with confidence.

You will provide practical advice, advocacy and casework to help families secure the support their children are entitled to, while promoting positive, collaborative relationships with professionals wherever possible.

We are looking for someone who combines excellent knowledge of SEND law and processes with compassion, integrity and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

About us

Our mission is simple: to leave every family we work with in a stronger position than when they first came to us.

Everything we do is centred around children and young people.

We believe that lasting change comes from building bridges rather than creating conflict, supporting families to develop positive, sustainable relationships with schools, local authorities and other professionals.

We are a values-driven team who care deeply about the families we support.

We celebrate progress, advocate with integrity, and strive to empower parents and carers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the SEND system long after our involvement has ended.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with families, schools, local authorities and other professionals to secure the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
• Prepare and support Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment requests.
• Support families through Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) drafting, annual reviews and amendments.
• Prepare new SEND Tribunal appeals and support families throughout the appeals process.
• Advocate confidently and professionally on behalf of children, young people and their families.
• Attend meetings with families, schools and local authorities, providing advice, support and representation where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, detailed and timely case records.
• Manage and prioritise a varied caseload, meeting deadlines and responding to changing priorities.
• Apply a child-centred, solution-focused and non-judgemental approach in all aspects of your work.
• Keep up to date with SEND legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
• Contribute positively to the development of our service and wider SEND community.

Qualifications and skills

Essential

• IPSEA-trained, or able to demonstrate an equivalent high level of knowledge and experience within the SEND sector.
• Strong working knowledge of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice and relevant case law.
• Experience supporting families through EHCP applications, annual reviews and SEND Tribunal processes.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality letters, submissions and case documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent active listening and interpersonal skills.
• High standards of organisation, record keeping and attention to detail.
• Confident using Microsoft Office and other digital systems.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a collaborative team.
• A strong sense of integrity, fairness and social justice.
• A restorative, solution-focused approach to resolving conflict.

Desirable

• Experience working within or alongside local authorities, schools or other education settings.
• Experience supporting children and young people with a range of SEND needs.
• Knowledge of mediation processes and alternative dispute resolution.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel occasionally (if applicable).

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is

• Compassionate and emotionally intelligent.
• Calm under pressure.
• An excellent communicator.
• Highly organised and self-motivated.
• Positive, optimistic and resilient.
• Passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with SEND.
• Committed to empowering families rather than creating dependency.

Benefits

• Remote working, with occasional travel required to attend training, team meetings, conferences and other events in person.
• Flexible, part-time hours.
• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• A supportive, values-led team environment.
• Opportunities to influence and shape a growing organisation.
• Working Pattern

This role is primarily worked during core business hours, Monday to Friday.

However, due to the nature of our work, flexibility is essential.

There will be occasions when working outside of core hours is required to meet the needs of families, manage caseload demands, attend meetings, or ensure statutory and legal deadlines are met.

We support flexible working wherever possible and appreciate the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while delivering an excellent service to the families we support.

Please apply by submitting your CV to

For more information please contact .

Closing Date