SENDIASS Information Officer - REQ002529

Job title: SENDIASS Information Officer

Salary: C1 £28,598 - £31,022

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid Working/ SENDIASS Office (TBC)

As a SENDIASS Information Officer you will work flexibly across the service to provide clear, consistent, and helpful information that helps people to understand their rights, share their views and feel confident to take part in SEND processes.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a SENDIASS Information Officer you will bring to the role:

An ability to engage and communicate sensitively, clearly and accurately with different audiences
An ability to understand, interpret and retain complex legal or procedural information
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage and prioritise own workload
An ability to produce and keep electronic documents, accurate records and statistical data
An understanding of the issues faced by children and their families where there are SEND needs

About the role

Leeds SENDIASS is a dedicated and identifiable service that offers free impartial and confidential information, advice and support (IAS), children and young people between 0 and 25 years who have, or may have, Special Educational Needs and/or a disability (SEND), their parents/carers and professionals that work in the field of SEND.

As our next SENDIASS Information Officer youμ contribute to the front-line delivery of a high quality, effective statutory service that empowers service users to understand and exercise their rights, express their views and feel informed and able to navigate processes related to SEND.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact paula.walsh@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children or Adultsbarred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

The provision of this IAS aims to promote independence and self-advocacy and ensure that children, young people, their parents/carers and those supporting them feel informed and empowered to play an active role in decision making, thus supporting best possible educational and other outcomes for all.

The service functions at arm length to Leeds City Council, ensuring that the Local Authority fulfils the requirements of Section 332a of the Education Act 1996, Children and Families Act 2014 c.6 part 3 section 32, SEND Code of Practice 2015 and National Minimum Standards for Information Advice and Support Services 2018.

To contribute to the front line delivery of a high quality, effective statutory service as detailed in SEND legislation. Working flexibly across the service to deliver a broad range of consistent, effective and personalised information advice and support (Intervention levels 1&2 IAS) that empowers service users to understand and exercise their rights, express their views, wishes and feelings and to feel informed and able to navigate processes related to SEND.

Responsibilities

Complete and keep up to date with relevant legally based training on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability, health and social care to act a specialist in the area of SEND.
Provide parent carers, children and young people with a range of information, including their rights and responsibilities, which will help them understand how education, health and social care services work for children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities.
Be aware of relevant legislation, guidance, policies and interpret and apply them consistently.
Be responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive and up to date SEND information resource base, which can be accessed through and adapted for a range of media and audiences.
Be responsible for the service social media, Leeds for Learning page and support the service manager with the development and maintenance of the standalone and dedicated service website, ensuring that it is that is linked to the Local Authority and other websites of published information, leaflets, newsletters and published policies.
Develop and circulate clear and accessible publicity that widely promotes the service, including to those who are hard to reach and those deemed to be vulnerable, ensuring that they receive equitability of service.
Work collaboratively with stakeholders, groups and relevant organisations to improve the range and quality of the information and advice offered to children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers.
Support with service consultations, evaluation and with monitoring feedback.
Support with the maintenance of the service stand-alone database. Ensuring that the information recorded is accurate for reporting of data in line with local and national reporting requirements.
Support with data collation and analysis about service performance, including service activity reports for partners and stakeholders, such as the Voice and Influence Report Card, Local Offer updates and Leeds for Learning bulletins.
Contribute to the service training offer for parents, carers, young people, voluntarily organisations, schools, colleges and other partners and stakeholders.
Provide administrative assistance for service activities and events, such as session bookings, service evaluations and minute taking.
Support with wider service delivery, including virtual delivery and attending targeted outreach activities around the city such as information sessions, workshops and advice sessions.
Undertake training and continuous personal development identified as relevant to the post. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Good general standard of education at least to the equivalent of NVQ Level 3.

Accredited SEND legislation training (IPSEA Levels 1, 2 and 3) or willingness to undertake the training within 6 months of taking up the role.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Ability to engage and communicate sensitively, clearly and accurately with different audiences including vulnerable children and young people and with their parents or carers, and professionals. Display sensitivity and patience to service users.
Ability to research, understand, interpret, and retain complex legal or procedural information and develop and maintain specialist resources.
Clear written and verbal communication style, using a variety of communication methods.
Excellent communication, networking, interpersonal, planning and organisational skills to effectively provide confidential information, advice and support impartially.
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage and prioritise own workload and achieve deadlines in a busy and demanding environment.
Creative and flexible approach to working and an ability to identify improved ways of working. Including an ability and willingness to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Ability to use IT systems and software, including Microsoft packages, e.g. word, excel and databases.
Use of transport and/or access to transport to cover service duties.
An understanding of current special educational needs and disability legislation; Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice 2015, Equality Act 2010 and related legislation (including social care & health legislation).
An understanding of the purpose and statutory duties of the SEND & Disability Information, Advice and Support service and that local government carry in relation to children and family services, including the duty to provide an arm length and impartial service.
Professional knowledge and experience of the British schooling system, including SEND interventions, wider legislation relating to things such as exclusions, attendance and admission and an understanding of and sensitivity to the cultural needs of families.
Understanding of the issues faced by children and their families where there are SEND needs and knowledge of appropriate service responses they require to achieve positive outcomes and the importance of inclusion and a strong commitment to improving the lives of children and young people with SEND and their families.
Knowledge of accessibility legislation and corporate style best practice to ensure we meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.
Working knowledge of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, safeguarding, information governance, confidentiality and data protection and other key legislation relating to children and their parents/carers.
Adopting a person-centred approach to working with families demonstrating a commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and maintaining effective working relationships to achieve positive outcomes for children.
Providing information, advice and support to adults, children and young people.
Simplifying and adapting own communication style, including working with parents with communication needs or English as an additional language.
Supporting improvement and developing reflective practice.
Producing electronic documents and keeping and recalling accurate records and statistical data. Demonstrating Appropriate sharing of information & sound understanding of GDPR/confidentiality requirements.
Data input, recording and producing reports using databases, word processing and other programmes.
Arranging meetings, workshops or other events.
Taking and distributing minutes.
Assisting in the design, production and review of forms, newsletters, flyers and information sheets for both hard copies and e versions.
Managing competing priorities and risks whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Able to carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Understand and embrace LCC values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
Be aware of and comply with internal service policies and procedures.
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
Able to work flexible hours with notice, including some early mornings, late evenings and weekends.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Ability to speak, read and/or write in languages other than English.
Of using holistic approaches to identifying children and parent needs and abilities.
Of statutory and independent sources of funding for families.
Problem solving and developing workable solutions to meet business requirements.
Presenting complex information in a clear & concise manner in a range of formats to drive performance in services and inform decision-making.
Developing, organising, and delivering coffee mornings, workshops, drop ins and training to parents or services (including publicity).
Maintaining websites, social media and facilitating on-line training.
Working in a culturally diverse environment with parents from minority ethnic communities and vulnerable groups.

Apply for this job