Outcomes First Group Hiring for Group SENDCo and Education Lead Job at Remote Full Time

Full Job Description

Location: Home Based with minimal travel

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Salary: £33,000 per annum

*We are currently trialling a 4-day working week to ensure our employees experience a fantastic work life balance, we hope to continue this after the trial*

About the Role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced SEND practitioner to join the National Fostering Group as Group SENDCo and Education Lead.

As Group SENDCo and Education Lead you will be the first point of contact for any member of staff or foster parents, who require education advice and support for a child or young person in a fostering household. Your role will involve providing appropriate education information and guidance, often in the area of SEND and EHC plans, while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism. Some enquiries will require ongoing support from you to drive a solution and this will involve working with other professionals from within our organisation, but also external stakeholders, such as schools, local authorities and SEND support organisations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for answering and logging enquiries, plus case tracking those that need further support. There will also be the opportunity to work on projects to develop the support offered by the quality team, as well as providing data analysis and administration support as required. You will work closely with other members of the quality team to ensure we are driving the best outcomes for our looked after children.

About the Group

The National Fostering Group is the pre-eminent independent fostering group in the UK, operating 32 agencies with coverage right across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We partner with local authorities across the country to provide outstanding outcomes for over 4,000 children. The group operates:

• 32 Independent Fostering Agencies, which operate under separate agency names, and have separate Ofsted registrations
• 2 Family Assessment Centres with the potential to open more in the future

To be successful in this role you will need:

We are looking for someone who has experience working with children and/or young people in an educational, health, social care or support setting. You will understand the barriers that children and young people can face if they have special education needs or disabilities, and how professionals can work best to help them to overcome these barriers. Some previous experience of SEND practice and law is essential, particularly in applying for and appealing EHC plans.

You’ll be in your comfort zone providing a high level of customer service to our staff and foster parents, explaining current education systems and giving appropriate information and advice. You will be comfortable liaising with all employees at all levels, including those in local authority and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will also need the ability to collect, assess, summarise and analyse key information and data appropriately. You will be capable of using your own initiative and effectively planning and prioritising work.

Essential

• Experience with children or young people in an educational, health, social care or support setting
• Experience of SEND law, practice, EHC plans
• Knowledge of current primary and/or secondary education provision
• Understanding of the needs of children, their development and the barriers SEND or LAC face
• Experience of managing small projects
• Well-developed written and verbal communication and excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work effectively alongside other staff and external stakeholders to drive resolutions
• Ability to collect, assess, summarise, and analyse key information
• Capable of using own initiative and effectively planning and prioritising work
• Emotionally intelligent and empathetic

Desirable Criteria

• An appropriate education, social care or health qualification
• Post-qualification experience of working where you have been required to respond to the needs of children or young people
• Previous SENDCo experience
• Experience of working with children who are looked after
• Proven ability to provide advice and support to stakeholders in an appropriate way, in person, on video meetings or via email and/or telephone

But what else is in it for you? Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Up to 39 days annual leave each year (25 base entitlement + 1 One moment in time + 8 bank holidays + ability to buy up to 5 extra days)
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the children and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

(job ID: 187902)