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 for regular meetings in 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.
We believe in the potential of every child and young person, and we are ambitious for their futures. Join us in making a difference!
About PCS SENDIASS
Our SENDIASS services are an integral part of Polaris, providing timely, confidential, and impartial information, advice, and support for parents, carers, children, and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Our mission is to empower families to take an active role in their education.
Your Role
We are looking for a passionate SENDIASS Support Worker to join our friendly team in Richmond and Kingston. If you have a background in special educational needs, disabilities, education, health, or social care, we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide individual support to children and young people with SEND and their parents.
- Assist with common topics such as EHCP applications, SEND tribunals, and social care provision.
- Support customers by explaining documents, co-writing applications, and attending meetings.
- Help customers understand the boundaries of your support using clear eligibility criteria.
- Advise on relevant SEND legislation and policy.
- 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 to achieve positive outcomes.
- Contribute to the development of resources for our SENDIASS website and social media.
What We’re Looking For:
- A qualification in SEND law or a willingness to pursue IPSEA SEN Law Training within the first year.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong knowledge of the Richmond and Kingston areas, including local services and support networks.
- Experience in a leadership role, with a calm yet assertive approach to managing complex conversations.
- Proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft Office, and databases.
Working Conditions & Benefits
- 30 days of annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service.
- Bank Holidays.
- Company Pension.
- Life Assurance (2x salary).
- 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 Children’s Services.
We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates.
