SENDIASS Support Worker

Join Our Team as a SENDIASS Support Worker!

Salary: £23,857.60 pro rata, £26,936 FTE

Contract: Part Time, 12-month fixed-term contract (maternity cover)

Hours: 31 hours per week (working pattern to be negotiated with your line manager)

Base Location: Home-based, with expected travel to regular meetings within Richmond and Kingston

Why Work With Us?

At Polaris, we are proud to be one of the UK's leading communities of children's services providers. For over 30 years, we have been dedicated to improving the lives of young people through our independent fostering and adoption agencies, leaving care services, education, and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community is committed to achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care. Join us in our mission to empower children, young people, families, and staff!

About PCS SENDIASS

The PCS SENDIASS team is part of our children's services branch, providing timely, confidential, and impartial information, advice, and support for parents, carers, children, and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Our goal is to empower families to take an active and informed role in their education.

Your Role

As a SENDIASS Support Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting children and young people with SEND and their families. You will provide confidential, one-on-one support on various issues related to SEND, ensuring that our customers feel empowered and informed.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual support to a caseload of children and young people with SEND and/or their parents.
• Assist with common topics such as EHCP applications, SEND tribunals, attendance issues, and more.
• Help customers understand documents, co-write applications, and attend meetings or mediation.
• Clarify your role and set expectations using 'What to Expect' eligibility criteria.
• Explain relevant SEND legislation and policy to provide informed advice.
• Identify barriers customers face and advocate for necessary support services.
• Encourage self-advocacy among children, young people, and parents.
• Work at least one advice shift per week, responding to helpline inquiries.
• Maintain accurate records of advice and support provided.
• Build professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders for positive outcomes.
• Contribute to the development of content for the SENDIASS website and social media.

What We’re Looking For

We seek a passionate individual with a background in special educational needs, disabilities, education, health, or social care. The ideal candidate will be:

• Qualified in SEND law or willing to pursue IPSEA SEN Law Training at Level 1, 2, and 3 within the first year.
• Excellent in communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledgeable about the London Boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames.
• Experienced in leadership roles, with a calm yet assertive demeanor.
• Proficient in Outlook, Microsoft packages, and databases.

Working Conditions & Benefits

We offer a supportive and flexible working environment, including:

• 30 days of annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service.
• Bank Holidays.
• Company Pension.
• Life Assurance (x2).
• Employee Discount Scheme.
• Medical Cash Plan.
• Pro rata benefits.

At Polaris Children's Services, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will undergo an enhanced DBS check, with costs covered by Polaris.

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates. If you’re ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!