SEND Information Advice and Support Worker

SEND Information Advice and Support Worker

PermanentFull Time

29512 to 34720 per annum

Location:Chelmsford

Working Style:Community-based worker

Closing Date: 9th October 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current unrestricted right to work in the UK.

The Role

Essex Special Educational Needs & Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) are looking for a warm enthusiastic person with excellent communication interpersonal and organisational skills for this demanding busy post.

The role requires the post-holder to provide impartial confidential and accurate information advice and support about education health and social care to and for children young people and their parents on matters relating to special educational needs and disabilities as well as professionals working with the families.

The successful candidate will support families to understand their rights roles and responsibilities empower them to give their views and encourage them to be at the centre of making informed decisions related to education health and social care. The need for strong negotiation skills and the ability to manage situations of conflict is essential to ensure the best outcome is achieved for the children and young people concerned.

The Opportunity

The post requires an excellent knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities SEND legislation and the additional support that can be provided to ensure best outcomes are achieved. Previous experience of supporting and working directly with parents and/or young people is required.

The need to work flexibly is essential due to the changing demands of the role and the need to respond to parents in crisis. The working environment is highly pressured consequently careful planning organisation and creative thinking skills are sought to ensure the Service meets its statutory requirements as per the IASS Minimum Standards.

The post holder will be required to undertake an extensive range of duties hold a live caseload which can include complex casework such as matters relating to exclusions and attending multi-agency meetings as well as managing your own administrative duties.

Flexible working:There is some opportunity to work from home. The postholder is required to meet with families and professionals in the community throughout the addition currently the office-based working is a minimum of 1 day a week. However this increases as required by the IASS Manager up to three days a week during the postholders 6-month induction.

To read more about our business area please visit: you have any questions about the role please contact Louise Bracci on

Accountabilities

• Deliver impartial technical and legal information and support to parents/carers children and young people on all aspects of educational provision for children and young people with SEND
• Work closely with colleagues within the SEND IASS team to provide continuity in casework as well as from across education social care and health and with education settings and a range of outside agencies to secure positive outcomes for families.
• Responsible for managing a defined caseload ensuring keeping up to date accurate records and data on a daily basis
• Provide information advice and support to promote independence and self-advocacy for children young people parents and carers.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Possesses a professional qualification at RQF level 5 (foundation degree) or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.

• Knowledge and experience of working with parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities with an understanding of the barriers to education and the issues affecting them within education.
• Awareness of the legislation and regulations for all aspects of SEND education provision (SEND legal training is a requirement of SEND IAS Services which will be provided).
• Ability to advise and support parents/YP where challenge is required to generate options which are credible solutions to head teachers parents children and young people and professionals.
• Efficient use of ICT to input all case information and support the service in the development of reports to monitor and evaluate quality.

In your application please make clear why you would like to apply for this post and include details of the relevant skills knowledge and experience you will bring to the role.

Why Essex

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents were committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity we ensure everyone matters in Everyones Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. Were committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. Were also committed to interview allveteransandcare leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once youve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicleor the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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If you have queries on this role or require anything further please email

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