SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) Co-ordinator

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job context

SENDIASS provides information and advisory services for parents and children/ young people 0-25 years with SEND. It is an impartial, confidential service that works towards resolution to ensure children and young people with SEND are accessing the education best suited to their needs.

The post will offer hybrid working but there will be a requirement to travel independently across the County as required. However, this post will primarily cover Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Craven areas.

The role involves spoken communications, so a confident use of English language is required.

The post holder will be expected to work with a range of other agencies including professionals in education, health and social care.

Job Specifics:

The post holder will work independently and be responsible for a caseload whilst determining the support and advice required for each individual case.

Operate the enquiry help line on a rota base, advising parents/carers and young people from across the county.

Expected to work with a range of other agencies including professionals in education, health and social care.

To advise on SEND Law and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

Attend formal Mediation meetings and Tribunal Hearings as and when required to support parents/carers/young people.

Develop an area specialism that will benefit the whole Team.

Supervise at least one volunteer working for the SENDIAS Service.

The post holder will work as part of the Team to ensure the Service continues to strive to meet the minimum standards as set out by IASSN.

This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Job purpose:

To facilitate partnership/ assist communication between parents/ carers, children and young people 0-25 years with Special Educational needs and/or disabilities living in North Yorkshire. To work alongside the LA, health, schools and voluntary agencies in the work of identifying, assessing and arranging provision for students with SEND and ensuring the child or young persons needs are central to plans.

Operational Management:

To provide the service is in line with the minimum National standards laid down in the Code of Practice 2015 for Special Educational Needs.

To ensure parents/ carers, children and young people are given full opportunity to participate in assessments for their educational needs and future planning.

Ensure that childrens/ young persons views are fully expressed, and they are given access to fully participate with the LA, health and other relevant services in their preparation for adulthood.

To foster closer links with Early Years settings, schools and colleges providing training where appropriate.

Resource management:

To develop training and information resources to support SEND practice, as and when required.

Partnerships:

To endeavour to strengthen the role of this service in actively involving children and young people, parents / carers in the process of developing greater inclusion and in any other changes in provision for special educational needs and/ or disability 0-25 years.

To provide dispute resolution where parents/ children or young people are in dispute with educational settings or the Local Education Authority, including supporting and being involved, if requested to attend the Disagreement Resolution or mediation process where appropriate.

To sustain links with the regional and the National Information, Advice, Support Service Network and to enable the service to respond effectively and flexibly to change.

To offer training for volunteers as required within our service.

To promote partnership with the Voluntary Sector for the benefit of parents/ carers with children, or young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

To work constructively with other statutory agencies for the benefit of children/ young people with special educational needs and /or disabilities.

Strategic management:

To contribute to the composition of the IAS service Annual Report and Service Plan.

Systems and information:

To provide statistical information for the service database. To ensure you join in the rota for the SENDIASS enquiry telephone line and other systems that support this service including ensuring you keep the database updated.

Safeguarding:

To be committed to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, raising concerns as appropriate within Council policy.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Working knowledge of legislation relating to special educational needs and disabilities.
• Good working knowledge of working with children / young people 0- 25 years or parents/carers.
• Working understanding of confidentiality and ensuring impartiality is understood within this role.
• Experience of working with children / young people 0-25 years or parents/carers, ensuring that they are given a clear platform to ensure their views are taken into account.
• Experience of working alongside parents or children / young people to resolve dispute through resolution.

Desirable

• Working knowledge of multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of working in voluntary organisations.
• Demonstrable experience of direct work with children / young people with SEND and parents/ carers within a Local Authority or Health setting
• Participating within mediation and first tier tribunals
• IPSEA level 1 to 3

Other Requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel across and out of County for work purposes.
• Ability to be resilient when challenging situations arise and remain professional and impartial at all times when dealing with difficult and emotional people.

Occupational Skills

Essential

• Computer literacy.
• Good interpersonal to communicate effectively with a range of people from young people to professionals.
• Mediation skills.
• Ability to write concise case notes and formulate succinct written plans.
• Negotiation and persuasion skills
• Ability to use own initiative and make professional decisions within knowledge base.
• Ability to work under pressure and deal with conflicting demands.
• Planning and decision making in relation to cases held.
• Able to work on your own and under direction.
• Able to support the delivery of information and advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritise work to meet the needs of parents/carers and young people.
• Customer-facing role requiring the ability to converse at ease with parents/carers and young people providing advice in an accurate spoken English.

Desirable

• Ability to support and formulate SEN statements or Education, Health and Care plans

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma in Social Work or other professional qualification in Education or Healthcare

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

North Yorkshire Council

Address

County Hall

Racecourse Lane

Northallerton

North Yorkshire

DL7 8AE

Employer's website

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)