SENDIAS Adviser

Buckinghamshire Council

  • Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
  • £35,089-36,502 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 7 days ago
OverviewAre you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Join our dedicated and friendly team at Buckinghamshire SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support) Service. We are looking for a committed and empathetic individual to provide impartial advice and support to children, young people, and their families navigating the SEND system.We have two vacancies available:1x Full Time, Permanent1x Full Time, Fixed Term/SecondmentAbout usBuckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected- only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.About the roleAs a SENDIAS Adviser, you'll be at the heart of our mission to empower families and young people by providing clear, confidential, and impartial information and advice. You will help them make informed decisions and get their views heard. You'll respond to enquiries, support individuals through complex processes such as mediation and tribunals, and help promote positive dialogue between families, schools, and other services.Your responsibilities will include:
  • Offering timely and impartial advice via phone, email, webchat and in-person.
  • Supporting families and young people through SEND processes, including appeals and mediation.
  • Promoting the service across the community and supporting volunteer development.
  • Staying up to date with relevant legislation and best practices.
  • Contributing to service planning and continuous improvement.
This role is based in Aylesbury, with occasional travel required. An enhanced DBS check and a full driving licence are essential.About youWe're looking for someone who is:
  • Experienced in working with parents, carers, and/or young people, ideally within the SEND or education sector.
  • Knowledgeable about SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010.
  • Adaptable - SEND legislation is likely to change in the near future. Our internal processes are continually evolving to provide service users with the help they need as soon as possible
  • Empathetic and resilient, with the ability to support families through emotionally challenging situations.
  • Organised and proactive, able to manage a varied, demanding workload and meet deadlines.
  • Collaborative, with excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with families and professionals alike.
  • Tech-savvy, proficient in using Microsoft Office and databases.
A relevant qualification (e.g. IPSEA Legal Training) is desirable, but not essential if you bring the right experience and attitude.Other informationIf you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Sarah Smith atClosing date: Midnight on Sunday 14th SeptemberWe reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
  • All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
  • All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).
For further information on filtering please refer to and the (see, in particular, the section titled 'Exceptions Order').Our values and cultureWe have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are - Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:
  • a fair and inclusive culture
  • the chance to really make a difference to those around you
  • health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
  • a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
  • ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
  • opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events
At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that's why we're working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it's important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.About the Business UnitEnsuring that children and young people in Buckinghamshire reach their potential is a primary focus within our Education service. It's essential that we provide inclusive and life-long learning opportunities for all of our young people - so we look to raise standards, attainment and aspirations in a number of ways.Our key priorities include: improving the quality and timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans and the support families of children with SEND receive; reducing the number of exclusions both permanent and fixed term; and providing the children of Buckinghamshire with the highest quality education possible.We aim to provide the right support, at the right time for families requiring non-statutory intervention, and provide sufficient, high quality early years and school places for children in Buckinghamshire. Despite Buckinghamshire having a higher percentage of good or outstanding Early Years providers and schools than national averages, we are not complacent.We are keen to strengthen the services we deliver to provide the children of Buckinghamshire the highest quality education possible.We recognise and reward youHard work and success deserves recognition. That's why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

Buckinghamshire Council