SENDIASS Advice Officer

Job title: SENDIASS Advice Officer

Salary: £27,711 - £30,060

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid Working/ SENDIASS Office (TBC)

As a SENDIASS Advice Officer you will work flexibly across the service to provide clear, consistent, and helpful information and advice that helps people to understand their rights, share their views and feel confident to take part in SEND processes.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About You

As a SENDIASS Advice Officer you will bring to the role:

• An ability to engage and communicate sensitively, clearly and accurately with different audiences
• An ability to understand, interpret and retain complex legal or procedural information
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage and prioritise own workload
• An ability to produce and keep electronic documents, accurate records and statistical data
• An understanding of the issues faced by children and their families where there are SEND needs
  
  
  

About The Role

Leeds SENDIASS is a dedicated and identifiable service that offers free impartial and confidential information, advice and support (IAS), children and young people between 0 and 25 years who have, or may have, Special Educational Needs and/or a disability (SEND), their parents/carers and professionals that work in the field of SEND.

As our next SENDIASS Advice Officer you¼ contribute to the front-line delivery of a high quality, effective statutory service that empowers service users to understand and exercise their rights, express their views and feel informed and able to navigate processes related to SEND.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
  
  
  

How To Apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact [email protected]

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children or Adults barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Purpose

Leeds City Council - Job Description

• Leeds SENDIASS is a dedicated and identifiable service that offers free impartial and confidential information, advice and support (IAS), children and young people between 0 and 25 years who have, or may have, Special Educational Needs and/or a disability (SEND), their parents/carers and professionals that work in the field of SEND.
• The provision of this IAS aims to promote independence and self-advocacy and ensure that children, young people, their parents/carers and those supporting them feel informed and empowered to play an active role in decision making, thus supporting best possible educational and other outcomes for all.
• The service functions at arm length to Leeds City Council, ensuring that the Local Authority fulfils the requirements of Section 332a of the Education Act 1996, Children and Families Act 2014 c.6 part 3 section 32, SEND Code of Practice 2015 and National Minimum Standards for Information Advice and Support Services 2018.
• To contribute to the front line delivery of a high quality, effective statutory service as detailed in SEND legislation. Working flexibly across the service to deliver a broad range of consistent, effective and personalised information advice and support (Intervention levels 1&2 IAS) that empowers service users to understand and exercise their rights, express their views, wishes and feelings and to feel informed and able to navigate processes related to SEND.
  
  
  

Responsibilities

• Complete and keep up to date with relevant legally based training on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability, health and social care to act a specialist in the area of SEND.
• Provide an initial point of contact for new SEND enquires made to the advice line via telephone, emails or web enquiries, enabling the service to work within its advertised response times and ensuring a strong and positive customer focus.
• Provide written and verbal responses to parent/carer, young person and professional enquiries that are factual and based in law and undertake initial triage assessments, based on need, for further service input in line with service allocation procedures.
• Ensure that service interactions are conducted in a confidential and impartial manner, in line with the service minimum standards and functions as an arm length service.
• Empower service users by providing clear impartial information and explanation of the range of SEND practices, procedures, roles, responsibilities and support available, tailored to the specific needs of an individual child/young person. Enabling appropriate, informed decision making and confidence to take an active role concerning the child/young person education, health and care needs.
• Provide factual and legally based information, advice and guidance to professionals and partners to assist them in the delivery of appropriate support where a child or young person has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
• Provide strategies to support service user communications with schools, Local Authority and other agencies and efficient signposting to relevant teams, services, support agencies and other sources of information and advice, relevant to the nature of the enquiry.
• Ensure when appropriate that views and wishes of the child/young person are sought and taken into consideration.
• Appropriately challenge service users, schools, other agencies and the Local Authority on points of educational processes in line with the SEND Code of Practice (0-25) and other relevant legislation and guidance. Interpreting and applying them consistently.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders, groups and relevant organisations to improve the range and quality of the information and advice offered to children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers.
• Obtain and accurately record key information and service interactions, related to enquiries, onto the service database, in line with agreed processes, protocols and GDPR requirements, allowing for effective and continuous service support and accurate data reporting. Ensuring that the information recorded is accurate for reporting of data in line with local and national reporting requirements
• Support with wider service delivery, including promotion, virtual delivery and attending targeted outreach activities around the city such as information sessions, workshops and advice session and contribute to expanding the accessibility of the service.
• Identify gaps in and contribute to the ongoing development of a comprehensive and up to date SEND information resource base, which can be accessed through and adapted for a range of media and audiences.
• Contribute to and support with delivery of the IAS training offer to increase knowledge of SEND law, guidance, local policy, issues and participation for all service users, partners and stakeholders
• Support with consultation, service evaluation and feedback processes.
• Undertake training and continuous personal development identified as relevant to the post. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Good general standard of education at least to the equivalent of NVQ Level 3

Accredited SEND legislation training (IPSEA Levels 1, 2 and 3) or willingness to undertake the training within 6 months of taking up the role.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

• Ability to engage and communicate sensitively, clearly and accurately with different audiences including vulnerable children and young people and with their parents or carers, and professionals. Display sensitivity and patience to service users.
• Ability to research, understand, interpret, and retain complex legal or procedural information and develop and maintain specialist resources.
• Ability to mediate, negotiate and use diplomacy sensitively and confidently and to use initiative and problem solving to resolve any arising conflict effectively to avoid and defuse conflict in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication, networking, interpersonal, planning and organisational skills to effectively provide confidential information, advice and support impartially, including an ability to build rapport and support service users displaying a variety of emotions with sensitivity and patience.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage and prioritise own workload and achieve deadlines in a busy and demanding environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication style, using a variety of communication methods. Able to prepare and deliver information in clear and concise way, in a variety of formats, suited to their intended audience and that informs decision making.
• Creative and flexible approach to working and an ability to identify improved ways of working. Including an ability and willingness to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Ability to use IT systems and software, including Microsoft packages, e.g. word, excel and databases.
• Use of transport and/or access to transport to cover service duties.
• An understanding of current special educational needs and disability legislation; Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 2015, Equality Act 2010 and related legislation (including social care & health legislation).
• An understanding of the purpose and statutory duties of the SEND & Disability Information, Advice and Support service and that local government carry in relation to children and family services, including the duty to provide an arm length and impartial service.
• Professional knowledge and experience of the British schooling system, including SEND interventions, wider legislation relating to things such as exclusions, attendance and admission and an understanding of and sensitivity to the cultural needs of families.
• Understanding of the issues faced by children and their families where there are SEND needs and knowledge of appropriate service responses they require to achieve positive outcomes and the importance of inclusion and a strong commitment to improving the lives of children and young people with SEND and their families.
• Working knowledge of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, safeguarding, information governance, confidentiality and data protection and other key legislation relating to children and their parents/carers.
• Adopting a person-centred approach to working with families demonstrating a commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and maintaining effective working relationships to achieve positive outcomes for children.
• Conflict management whilst maintaining respectful, professional and impartial boundaries and looking at ways forwards, when disagreements arise between settings/services and parents.
• Providing telephone and email duties and responding to basic enquiries.
• Providing information, advice and support to adults, children and young people.
• Simplifying and adapting own communication style, including working with parents with communication needs or English as an additional language.
• Supporting improvement and developing reflective practice.
• Producing electronic documents and keeping and recalling accurate records and statistical data. Demonstrating Appropriate sharing of information & sound understanding of GDPR/confidentiality requirements.
• Managing competing priorities and risks whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Able to work flexible hours with notice, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends.
  
  
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  
  

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Counselling, mediation and/or resilience skills.
• Professional qualification in the specialist area of SEND.
• Ability to speak, read and/or write in languages other than English.
• Ability to establish and maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people.
• Knowledge of accessibility legislation and corporate style best practice to ensure we meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
• Of using holistic approaches to identifying children and parent needs and abilities
• Of statutory and independent sources of funding for families.
• Problem solving and developing workable solutions to meet business requirements.
• Presenting complex information in a clear & concise manner in a range of formats to drive performance in services and inform decision-making.
• Challenging existing ways of working and delivering organisational change.
• Working in multi-agency environment.
• Working in a culturally diverse environment with parents from minority ethnic communities and vulnerable groups.
  
  
  

Apply for this job