At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children with SEND, ensuring they receive the right help.
- Company: Join Wokingham Borough Council's friendly and ambitious SEND team.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, flexible working, and a free onsite gym.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team in a vibrant community with great transport links.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 42124 - 46581 £ per year.
We have an excellent opportunity for a SEND Case Practitioner to join our Children’s Services SEND team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis. As a SEND Case Practitioner, you'll play a vital role in supporting families, schools and professionals, ensuring children receive the right support to achieve the best possible outcomes. You will join a friendly, collaborative and ambitious SEND team that is committed to delivering high-quality services and putting children and families at the heart of everything we do. You'll manage a varied caseload, build positive relationships with key stakeholders and help navigate complex processes with confidence and compassion.
At Wokingham Borough Council, you'll be part of an organisation that values learning, innovation and professional development. Alongside a rewarding career, you'll benefit from flexible working, excellent training opportunities, generous annual leave and a supportive team environment where your contribution is truly valued. Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- Generous Annual Leave - 30 days per annum (rising by 5 days with 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
- Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
- Move through Menopause Course
- Sports & Social Group Activities - Including running, football, cricket & more
- And more!
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of children and young people with SEND, acting as the key point of contact for families, educational settings and partner agencies.
- Coordinate Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and annual reviews, ensuring statutory processes are completed within required timescales.
- Gather, analyse and present information from families, schools and professionals to support decision-making and the development of high-quality EHC Plans.
- Work collaboratively with education, health and social care partners to secure appropriate provision and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Provide advice, guidance and support to families and stakeholders, promoting a person-centred approach and ensuring children receive the right support at the right time.
Candidate Requirements
- Experience working with children, young people and families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including managing complex casework.
- Strong understanding of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, Children and Families Act, and statutory assessment processes.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with families, schools and multi-agency partners.
- Ability to analyse complex information, write detailed reports and produce high-quality Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet statutory deadlines and maintain accurate case records using a range of IT systems.
Our Area Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
SEND Casework Practitioner in Wokingham employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Wokingham Borough Council is an exceptional employer for ASYE Social Workers, offering a supportive environment with a dedicated in-house ASYE Programme that fosters professional growth and confidence. Employees benefit from generous annual leave, a free onsite gym, and a range of lifestyle discounts, all while working in a vibrant area known for its excellent transport links and community spirit. With a strong focus on peer support and development, Wokingham has successfully retained over 80% of its ASYE workforce, making it a fantastic place to start your social work career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Casework Practitioner in Wokingham
✨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 Wokingham 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 Wokingham 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 Wokingham 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 Wokingham 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 Casework Practitioner in Wokingham
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 Wokingham Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wokingham 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 Wokingham 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.