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. We believe in the potential of our children, young people, families, and staff, and we’re excited to invite you to be part of this journey!
About PCS SENDIASS
The PCS SENDIASS team is dedicated to 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 and informed role in their education.
Your Role and Responsibilities
As a SENDIASS Support Worker, you will:
- Provide individual support to a caseload of children and young people with SEND and their parents.
- Assist customers 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.
- Set clear expectations of your role using ‘What to Expect’ eligibility criteria.
- Explain relevant SEND legislation and policy when providing advice or support.
- 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, answering calls and emails on the Polaris SENDIASS helplines.
- Maintain accurate records of advice and support provided.
- Build professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve 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 who has:
- A track record or personal experience in special educational needs, disabilities, education, health, or social care.
- A qualification in SEND law or a willingness to pursue IPSEA SEN Law Training at Levels 1, 2, and 3 within the first year.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong knowledge of the London Boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames.
- Experience in a leadership position with a calm but assertive manner.
- Confidence in using Outlook, Microsoft packages, and databases.
Working Conditions and Benefits
At Polaris, we value our team members and offer:
- 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.
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 be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, which will be covered by Polaris Children’s Services.
Polaris Children’s Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Join us in making a difference!
