At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to achieve their goals.
- Company: Join a dedicated SEND service making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to impact lives positively.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate across various agencies and settings.
- Why this job: Be a champion for young people, helping them overcome barriers and prepare for adulthood.
- Qualifications: Experience with 0-25 age group, strong advocacy skills, and knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced SEND Officer (0–25) to join a dedicated SEND service supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled professional who is passionate about removing barriers to learning, promoting positive outcomes and helping children and young people prepare successfully for adulthood.
The Role
As a SEND Officer, you will work directly with children, young people and their families, as well as schools, colleges, settings and partner agencies, to identify needs and ensure appropriate support is put in place. You will undertake assessments, contribute to multi-agency planning and provide high-quality, person-centred support. A key part of the role will involve preparing and writing Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, ensuring they are outcome-focused and reflect the needs, aspirations and views of the child or young person and their family.
You will also:
- Work collaboratively with schools, colleges and other settings to identify SEND and determine how needs can be met.
- Undertake assessments of need, including EHC needs assessments.
- Participate in multi-agency meetings and act as lead professional where required.
- Advocate and negotiate on behalf of children and young people.
- Support families to access appropriate services, activities and funding.
- Provide information, advice, guidance and intensive support to children and young people.
- Help young people plan for the future and prepare for adulthood.
- Liaise with Education, Health, Social Care and other partner agencies.
- Make and receive referrals where appropriate.
- Assist with the preparation, presentation and defence of tribunals.
- Maintain accurate records in line with required procedures and standards.
- Work in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
About You
We are looking for someone with significant experience of working with children and young people aged 0–25, both individually and in groups, across a variety of settings. You will have experience of:
- Developing effective relationships with young people, parents, carers and partner agencies.
- Identifying and assessing the needs of children and young people.
- Providing information, advice and guidance in different settings.
- Representing an organisation within multi-agency forums.
- Working collaboratively across professional boundaries.
You will also need strong advocacy, negotiation, assessment, planning and review skills, alongside the ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload. A good understanding of the barriers faced by children and young people and strategies for removing those barriers is essential. Knowledge of safeguarding procedures, education and training opportunities for 0–25-year-olds, funding opportunities and integrated support services is also required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective partnerships are essential.
Essential Requirements
- Significant experience working with young people aged 0–25.
- Experience of undertaking relevant assessments and identifying needs.
- Experience working within multi-agency environments.
- Strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
- Ability to assess, prioritise, plan and review.
- Ability to manage workload effectively.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Good IT skills, including experience with databases.
- NVQ Level 4 or equivalent qualification in an area relevant to the role.
Why Apply Through We Do Social Work Recruitment?
At We Do Social Work Recruitment, we connect talented professionals with rewarding opportunities where they can make a genuine difference to children, young people and families. If you are an experienced SEND professional looking for your next opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Apply today through We Do Social Work Recruitment.
Special Educational Needs And Disabilities (Send) Officer (Senior Interim) in New Mills employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an excellent employer located in Altrincham, offering a supportive and friendly work environment where employees can thrive. With a focus on professional development and career progression, this role provides a unique opportunity to engage in diverse tasks while contributing to a growing specialist recruitment agency dedicated to making a difference in the public sector. Join us to build your skills and be part of a team that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Educational Needs And Disabilities (Send) Officer (Senior Interim) in New Mills
✨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 We Do Social Work.
✨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 We Do Social Work!
✨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 We Do Social Work, 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 We Do Social Work 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 Special Educational Needs And Disabilities (Send) Officer (Senior Interim) in New Mills
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 We Do Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Do Social Work! 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 We Do Social Work
✨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.
