SENDIASS Support Worker
Join Our Team as a SENDIASS Support Worker!
Salary: £19,882.12 actual pro-rated salary (£23,195.81 FTE)
Contract: Part Time, Permanent
Hours: 30 hours per week, with a flexible working pattern negotiated with your line manager
Base Location: Home-based
Travel: Regular meetings within Hampshire
Why Work With Us?
At Polaris, we are proud to be one of the UK's largest communities of children's services providers. For over 30 years, we have been passionately 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 dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care, and we believe in the potential of our children, families, and staff.
About Hampshire SENDIASS
The Hampshire SENDIASS team is part of the Children's Services branch of Polaris. We provide 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 play an active and informed role in their education.
Your Role and Responsibilities
As a SENDIASS Support Worker, you will:
- Provide one-on-one support to children and young people with SEND and their families.
- Assist with common topics such as EHCP applications, SEND tribunals, attendance issues, and more.
- Explain documents and support customers in writing applications and attending meetings.
- Advocate for customers during the SENDIST appeal process.
- Utilize relevant SEND legislation and policy to provide informed advice.
- Identify barriers faced by customers and advocate for necessary support.
- Coach and encourage customers to take control of their own advocacy.
- 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.
What We’re Looking For
We seek a passionate individual who has:
- Relevant professional 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 within the first year.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience in a leadership role, with a calm yet assertive approach.
- Confidence in using Microsoft Office applications and databases.
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own car.
Working Conditions and Benefits
We value our employees and offer a range of benefits, 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.
All benefits will be pro-rated for part-time employees.
Join Us in Making a Difference!
Polaris Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, with costs covered by Polaris Children's Services.
We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. If you’re ready to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families, we’d love to hear from you!
