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. We believe in the potential of our children, young people, families, and staff.
About Hampshire SENDIASS
The Hampshire SENDIASS services are 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 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 with common topics such as EHCP applications, SEND tribunals, attendance issues, and social care provision.
- Explain documents, support customers in writing applications, and attend meetings or mediation with them.
- Advocate for customers throughout the SENDIST appeal process.
- Utilize relevant SEND legislation and policy to provide informed advice and support.
- Identify barriers customers face and advocate for necessary support services.
- Coach and encourage customers to take control of their own advocacy.
- 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.
What We’re Looking For
We seek a passionate individual who meets the following criteria:
- Relevant professional or personal experience related to 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.
- Experience in a leadership position, with a calm yet assertive demeanor.
- Confidence in using Microsoft Outlook and other Office applications.
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own car.
Working Conditions and 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.
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 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. Join us in making a difference!
