Case Officer (SENDIASS)

Grade 6-£31557-£34884pa

About Us

Havering Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, impartial and confidential service that provides information, advice and support to Havering parents/carers with children aged 0 - 16 with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) and also to Young People themselves with SEND aged 16 to 25 years. SENDIASS operates at arms-length from the Local Authority and information and support is provided to Service Users on SEND matters relating to education, health and social care.

An exciting Case Officer vacancy has arisen within SENDIASS for the successful candidate to become part of a Team and provide timely and accurate information, advice and support to a wide variety of audiences including parents, children, young people, schools and other professionals.

The post holder will be required to work normal office hours 36 hours per week but occasional attendance at some evening and weekend events may be needed.

The role will primarily entail working from home but with the opportunity to work from other locations around the borough as the role requires.

The Post Holder will be given the opportunity to continue their Professional Development by undertaking further training relevant to the role such as SEND Training and Safeguarding Training.

About the Job

The post holder will play a key role in the delivery of a high quality impartial information, advice and support service that meets the needs of children and young people up to 25 years with SEND and parents/carers of children with SEND in the local area.

You will be responsible for dealing with enquiries that come into the Service via the telephone, email or website and be able to work independently and as part of a well-established Team.

You will manage your own caseloads (including complex cases) ensuring that accurate and up to date case notes are kept and will follow safeguarding procedures to report any concerns.

You will support in resolving issues and difficulties associated with parents/carers of children and young people with SEND accessing education, health and social care support.

About You

You will have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships

You will have effective listening skills with the ability to show empathy and defuse and manage emotional and volatile callers/situations in order to identify the key issue or concern.

You will be able to work independently using your own initiative when required but will also be able to work successfully within in a Team.

You will be organised and able to manage competing priorities whilst still ensuring a high level of timely and accurate support is given to Service Users.

You will need experience of office systems, procedures and IT support systems.

Qualifications

Preferably 5 GCSEs at grade c or above, including maths and English (or equivalent level qualification)
A qualification in Customer service would be desirable
SEND advisor legal training or work towards

Knowledge

Of SEN processes and comprehensive understanding of the childcare sector and the National Childcare Strategy
Detailed understanding of current SEN legislative framework, particularly affecting SEN processes
Of solution focussed thinking skills
Knowledge of delivering service plan objectives

Experience

Of managing demanding caseloads and competing priorities
Of working in ways which empower and encourage participation of parents/ carers
Of multi-agency working at a variety of levels including very senior members of organisation such as Head teachers, health and social care professionals
Writing confidential reports and being able to defend arguments robustly
Of working with families of children with special educational needs/ disabilities
Of high level negotiation and influencing skills in emotionally charged situations
Of service accreditation and process undertaken to ensure high quality

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Sarah Baines on: 01708 432362

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 26^th June 2022., however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early. For further details on this role, please click on the Job Description here.

You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interviews are scheduled for week beginning 4^th July 2022 (subject to change depending on availability).