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Information, Advice & Support Officer (Parent Lead)

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

About Us

 Are you  
  • Passionate about and committed to working with parents of children and young people with SEND? 
  • Able to roll and adapt with “ebbs and flows” of working alongside a stretched SEND system locally and nationally? 
  • Collaborative and solution focused? 
If yes, we have the perfect role for you! 
 
Our Wandsworth Information Advice & Support Service (WIASS) is looking to recruit a full-time Information, Advice & Support Officer (Parent lead) to join our amazing team and help play an important role in developing our outreach offer to parents within Wandsworth. 

About us 
 
WIASS provides the local statutory SEND information, advice, and support service (SENDIASS) for children and young people (0-25) with SEND and their parents. The service is delivered through a triage approach and in compliance with the national IASS Network Minimum Standards 2018 and Intervention Levels 2022.
 
About the role 

You will be contributing to positive outcomes for CYP with SEND, by providing impartial, confidential information and advice and support (IAS) to parents on SEND processes, making informed decisions about their child’s support, and giving their views in writing and in person. You will work collaboratively with the other IASS officers in the team and initially work alongside the Service Manager. You will be required to provide IAS, either by phone, email or in person, including supporting parents at meetings with the LA or education settings, when required. 
 
You will also take the lead to develop and deliver our outreach offer (Coffee Mornings, Drop In’s, or Workshops/Training) for parents and work in partnership with other stakeholders (organisations and settings) to deliver this in Wandsworth. 
 
You will be provided with in house and independent legal training on SEND processes (SEN support, EHC NA, EHC plans and Annual Reviews, Right of Appeal, Exclusions and CETRs) and other related topics. The successful candidate will also be required to work within the service standards and priorities. This post is delivered to Wandsworth residents only.  
 
Whilst we will try to be flexible as possible - you will be required to work mainly from the service’s office (a minimum of three days per week), based at Wandsworth Town Hall. Office hours are: Monday - Friday; 9 am – 5 pm. 
 
About you 

We are looking for an experienced professional who, 
  • Has extensive experience of working directly with parents of children with SEND including parents who may have learning needs, disability, and English as an additional language.
  • Understands the difficulties that parents of children with SEND experience and the importance of inclusion in settings and the community. 
  • Has a positive outlook, is resilient and can maintain boundaries and their position respectfully, in sometimes stressful/demanding situations with parents and professionals.  
  • Has experience in and understands the importance of delivering coffee mornings, Drop In's, workshops, and training to parents. 
  • Understands the importance of stepping back in order to empower parents alongside going the extra mile when needed. 
  • Enjoys working as part of team, networking and working with other stakeholders. 
  • Has excellent time management/ prioritising skills and takes pride in following through on actions (Excellent Customer care). 
  • Is proficient in IT including using databases and case management systems, power point presentations and creating publicity information.

Agile Working

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know. 

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including working from home. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 40 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
Closing Date:  12th June 2023
Shortlisting Date: 13th June 2023
Interview Date: W/C 19th June 2023 and W/C 26th June 2023 (includes test/presentation) 

For an informal discussion please contact Rina Patel, WIASS Manager at Rina.patel@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk  
 
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.

Equality 

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.

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised. 

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

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