The Role

Are you seeking an opportunity where you can make a difference and contribute to positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND, by?

• Listening and understanding?
• Providing parents with information and advice in a timely, supportive, and accessible way over the phone and by email
• Working with a team who are focused, experienced and are committed to providing good quality information, advice, and support

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Wandsworth Information Advice & Support Service (WIASS) is looking to recruit a full-time, permanent Helpline Information, Advice & Support Officer to join our amazing team and help play a central  role in developing our triage response to families. Term time working would be considered too.

About us

WIASS provides the statutory local impartial, confidential information, advice, and support service (SENDIASS) on matters relating to children and young people with SEND. The service is offered to parents, children and young people aged 0-25 years old who live in Wandsworth.

About the role

You will be the first point of contact for parents  who are wanting information, advice and support related to their child’s/young person’s special educational needs and or disability (SEN/D).

This will involve staffing and providing information, advice, and support daily via the service helpline and email inbox including  signposting parents to the service Information, Advice and Support officers (Parent /CYP leads) and/ or other services when appropriate.

You will also be required to work within the National IASS Minimum, service standards and  priorities.

This post is delivered to Wandsworth residents only and you may be required to travel to sites within and outside of Wandsworth including working from the office at least 3 times a week.

About you

The successful candidate will genuinely enjoy listening and speaking to families including finding out what they want support with and explaining how they can access it.  You will be able to provide information, advice, and support in a clear and  sensitive way.

The post holder will have good time management skills and be calm under pressure when dealing with a high number of calls/email enquiries alongside carrying out the necessary follow up work/administration.

It is essential you understand the importance of and are committed to working as part of a team to deliver the service’s aims and standards collectively. 

You will need to be proficient in IT including using databases and entering information on to case management systems which is essential for this role

You will understand and have experience of how children learn and are supported in school settings.

Whilst we will try and be flexible around agreeing for you to work remotely – the role requires you to be in the office a minimum three times a week. Office hours are 9am - 5pm.

Training on SEND Law and guidance will be provided.

How to apply?

To apply complete an application outlining how you meet the specific requirements of the role. Please refer to the attached full Job Description/Person Specification. For an informal discussion please contact Rina Patel, WIASS Manager at Rina.patel@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Benefits

We offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Close date: 11:59pm on Wednesday 12th January 2022
• Shortlisting date: Week commencing the 17th January 2022
• Interview date: Week commencing the 24th January 2022

Useful Information: The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing are our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

Equality Statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils