Job Introduction
A rewarding opportunity for a motivated Caseworker to join our supportive and friendly Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) team where you’ll make a difference to the lives of children and young people.
Our service provides impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and as the caseworker you’ll offer information and advice to the parents/carers, children and young people to navigate the SEND process and achieve positive outcomes.
You’ll have experience in working with families where children and young people have a special educational need or disability.
This is a fixed term role until July 2025 working 30 hours per week. We offer an excellent benefits package including an enhanced pension at 18.8%, generous holiday allowance and flexible working including homeworking. You’ll have the opportunity to access extensive training, expand your skillset through project work and get involved in a number of outreach projects including parent workshops and annual SEND Information Day.
Interviews will be week commencing 2 October
Main Responsibility
- Provide information, advice and support within the SEND legal framework to parents/carers and young people including exclusion and complaints advice.
- Support in preparing for/attending SEN Support and EHCP meetings.
- Support with Informal Dispute Resolution, mediation and preparing for SEND Tribunals.
- Exploring/explaining statutory decisions.
- Maintain confidentiality whilst dealing with sensitive/confidential information.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of current and new legislation, and national and local policies.
- Plan and deliver presentations and training to a variety of audiences.
The Ideal Candidate
- You’ll be enthusiastic, highly motivated and empathic with a strong commitment to providing an impartial mediatory resource to families at difficult times and in complex situations and in line with Chapter 2 of the SEN Code of Practice.
- Excellent written, verbal, IT and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work well within a team with a flexible approach is important in this role.
- Ability to work effectively as both part of a team whilst being able to work on own initiative and take responsibility for own workload.
- Access to transport to attend meetings at the schools and settings.
- If you have completed the IPSEA or Independent Supporter training this will be an advantage. You will need to be prepared to undertake mandatory external legal training provided by IPSEA and other related training.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent pension scheme widely regarded as one of the best available.
- 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Health Cashplan.
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
- Childcare Subsidy.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.
Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.
Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.
