At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families through challenges by providing information and advice on SEND procedures.
- Company: Join Family Action, a leading organisation dedicated to supporting families for over 150 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Empathy for families, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 25121 - 27780 £ per year.
Key Details
- Salary: £25,221 - £27,780 FTE per annum plus £480 home working allowance – (Pro-rata for 22.2 hours - £15,132 - £16,668 plus pro-rata HWA)
- Hours: 22.2–29.6 hours per week across 3–4 days (Part‑time) – Negotiable.
- Contract type: Fixed term for one year in the first instance, with potential extension.
- Location: Home‑based in the Wiltshire area, frequent travel required.
Family Action & the Role’s Impact
At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. We see first‑hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.
Responsibilities
- Respond to enquiries from the telephone helpline, email, website, text service and social media, providing accurate and impartial information and advice on matters relating to SEND procedures, particularly the SEND Code of Practice 2014.
- Provide information and advice on local policy and practice, the Local Offer, Personal Budgets, the law on SEN & Disability, health and social care and support income maximisation for families.
- Provide confidential and impartial advice to young people on their own, if requested, and promote the voice of the child/young person throughout the work with families.
- Provide individual casework for parents and young people, including:
- Phone, text and email contact
- Home visits
- Representation and support in preparing for and attending meetings, either face‑to‑face or online
- Listening to concerns
- Signposting to other local or national sources of support
- Help with filling in forms, writing letters and reports, tailoring support as far as possible to individual need to ensure equal access to the service
- Planning support to ensure the best use of time
Main Requirements:
- Experience that demonstrates empathy for families of children/young people with additional needs, highly developed interpersonal and active listening skills, first‑rate verbal and written communication skills.
Qualifications & Experience
- Recognised professional qualification in education, health, social work or equivalent, evidence of a commitment to continuing learning and professional development and at least one year’s experience in a similar role.
- Experience enabling you to empathise with or advocate for families of children/young people with additional needs.
Support & Training
We will offer you support and funding to undertake the IPSEA Legal training, Levels 1‑3, to support your career development and progression.
Benefits
- Annual paid leave entitlement of 25 working days plus bank holidays (pro‑rata)
- Up to 6 % matched‑pension contributions
- Flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment
- Enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
- Eye care and winter flu jab vouchers
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme
- Investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities
Benefits of Working with Us
We are forward‑looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people‑focused, can‑do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person.
Background Checks
Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Child and Adult Workforce, including Enhanced with Children’s Barred List. All appointments with Family Action are subject to satisfactory Safer Recruitment checks.
Contact
For any queries, or to discuss any aspect of the selection process or the potential for flexible working, please email deanna.wilkins@family-action.org.uk.
Case Officer employer: Wiltshire
Family Action is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees, offering flexible working arrangements and a supportive work culture. With a commitment to continuous improvement and diversity, employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities, including funding for IPSEA Legal training, and enjoy generous leave entitlements alongside a matched pension scheme. Working from home in the Wiltshire area allows for a balanced lifestyle while making a meaningful impact on families and communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Case Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Family Action and their mission. Understanding their values and how they support families will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your active listening skills. As a Case Officer, you'll need to empathise with families. Try mock interviews with friends or family where you focus on listening and responding thoughtfully to their concerns.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some questions for your interview. This shows you're engaged and keen to learn more about the role. Ask about their approach to supporting families or how they handle challenging cases.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to embrace the digital side of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Case Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Case Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Empathy:Since this role involves supporting families with additional needs, share specific examples that demonstrate your empathy and understanding. We want to see how you connect with people and advocate for their needs.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and make sure your passion for the role shines through!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wiltshire
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the SEND Code of Practice 2014 and local policies. Brush up on your knowledge about Personal Budgets and the law surrounding SEN & Disability. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you’re also prepared to provide accurate and impartial advice.
✨Show Empathy
During the interview, demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by families with children who have additional needs. Share personal experiences or examples from previous roles where you’ve successfully supported families. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with those you’ll be helping.
✨Practice Active Listening
Be ready to showcase your active listening skills. You might be asked situational questions where you need to listen carefully to a scenario and respond appropriately. Practising this skill beforehand can help you articulate your thoughts clearly and show that you value the voices of the families you'll be working with.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the support and training offered, or how the organisation measures success in their casework. Asking questions shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.