Location
Romford, London Borough of Havering

Hours
36 hours per week, normal office hours with occasional evening and weekend events

Salary
Grade 6 - £39,276 to £42,771 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking a SENDIASS Case Officer to join the Havering SENDIASS team. Havering Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, impartial and confidential service providing information, advice and support to parents/carers of children aged 0-16 with SEND and young people aged 16-25 with SEND. Operating independently from the Local Authority, SENDIASS supports service users on education, health and social care matters related to SEND.

The successful candidate will join a dedicated team delivering high quality, accurate and timely impartial information, advice and support. The role primarily involves working from home with occasional work at other borough locations as required.

The Case Officer will manage enquiries received via telephone, email or website, working independently and collaboratively within the team. Responsibilities include managing caseloads, including complex cases, maintaining accurate case notes, following safeguarding procedures, and supporting parents/carers and young people in accessing education, health and social care support.

Professional development opportunities will be provided, including SEND and Safeguarding training.

Experience
- Managing demanding caseloads and competing priorities
- Working in ways that empower and encourage participation of parents/carers and young people
- Multi-agency working at various levels including senior professionals such as head teachers, health and social care staff
- Writing confidential reports and robustly defending arguments
- Working with families of children with special educational needs and disabilities
- High level negotiation and influencing skills in emotionally charged situations
- Service accreditation and quality assurance processes

About You
You will have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and build strong working relationships. You will demonstrate effective listening skills, empathy, and the ability to defuse and manage emotional or volatile situations to identify key issues.

You will be organised, able to manage competing priorities, and provide timely, accurate support. You will work well independently using your own initiative and collaboratively within a team.

Experience with office systems, procedures and IT support systems is essential.

Qualifications
- Preferably 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English (or equivalent)
- Customer service qualification desirable
- IPSEA Level 3 SEND legal training or willingness to work towards this

Knowledge
- SEN processes and comprehensive understanding of the childcare sector and National Childcare Strategy
- Detailed understanding of current SEND legislative framework affecting SEND processes
- Solution focused thinking skills
- Knowledge of delivering service plan objectives