JOB DESCRIPTION – Independent Supporter
ADVIZA PARTNERSHIP / GRADE/SALARY: DJOB TITLE: Independent Supporter / HOURS OF WORK: 37 Hours p.w.
REPORTS TO: IS Co-ordinator / DIRECT REPORTS: None
BACKGROUND:
Independent Support is a national programme funded by the Department of Education via the Council for Disabled Children, as part of the measures associated with the recent Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reforms and the implementation of the Children & Families Act 2014. The Government has specified that Independent Supporters should be provided by private, voluntary and community sector organisations which are independent of the local authority but that they should work with and complement pre-existing local services. This includes the local authority SEN arrangements and Parent Partnerships in their key role in providing impartial IAS.
JOB PURPOSE:
Ø To provide independent information, advice, and support to parents/carers and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who are either:
§ going through a statutory Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment and development of the resulting EHC Plan;
§ transitioning from a statement of SEN to an EHC Plan;
§ transitioning from a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA) to an EHC Plan.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ø To provide accurate and up-to-date information to parents/carers or young people in line with recent legislation and local procedures, including:
Ø Children and Families Act 2014
Ø SEND Regulations 2014
Ø SEND Code of Practice 2014
Ø The Local Authority Transition Plan
Ø To have an understanding of current legislation including the Education
Act 1996 and disability discrimination legislation.
Ø Interventions will be time limited and caseloads will be based on individual need and could involve working directly with young people (where the young person has reached statutory school age and is deemed to have mental capacity) or their parents, but will be restricted to the activities covered in the job purpose above.
Ø To support and encourage young people to participate in relevant school meetings and reviews, so that their voice is heard regarding future aspirations and support needs, ensuring all discussions are outcomes focused and solution focused.
Ø To help and support parents/carers and/or young people to understand the local offer.
Ø To have an understanding and be able to provide information to parents/carers and/or young people on personal budgets within the context of an EHC Plan
Ø To work in a positive, impartial way to maintain and improve relationships and communication between parents, schools and other agencies
Ø To support parents and young people to have confidence and understand the new legislative framework and to empower parents/carers and young people to participate effectively in the process. This will be through a combination of:
§ Face to face meetings which could be home visits, telephone/e-mail support and support via Skype, WebEx and/or Webchat
§ Assistance with preparation for meetings
§ Support with writing letters/presenting views
§ Explaining reports and draft documentation
§ Support in meetings with school, the local authority and a range of other relevant agencies
§ Help to negotiate and effectively resolve any disputes and misunderstanding
§ Signpost to other relevant agencies
Ø To support the IS Co-ordinator to work in partnership with schools, the local authority and other partners to identify parents/carers and young people who may benefit from Independent Support, including vulnerable and hard to reach groups
Ø To have an understanding of dispute resolution and complaints procedures and to support parents/carers and young people to access support in resolving disagreements
Ø To keep accurate records of all interventions and activities which will provide statistical evidence for monitoring and evaluation of the service, ensuring information is shared appropriately and in line with the Data Protection Act and that all confidential information is kept secure in line with company policy and procedure and national legislation
Ø To work alongside the existing Parent Partnership Service and other organisations providing information, advice and support to ensure parents/carers and young people have access to the appropriate level of support to meet their individual needs and situation
Ø To undertake other duties as directed by the IS Co-ordinator as the role develops
Ø Where necessary, complete a programme of study leading to an appropriate NVQ4 qualification or equivalent (or specified NVQ units where Qualification in Careers Guidance QCG (or other relevant professional qualification) has already been obtained
Ø Undertake regional initial Independent Support training and then develop and maintain personal and professional effectiveness by participation in performance review processes/observation of professional practice and by attending relevant working groups, training and support activities.
SCOPE OF JOB (BUDGETARY/RESOURCE CONTROL, IMPACT):
Number of employees None
Managed/supervised (directly)
Number of FTE (Full time None
Equivalents) employees
Managed/supervised
Budgetary control None
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Independent Supporter
JOB TITLE: Independent Supporter / HOURS OF WORK: 37 HOURS p.w.
REPORTS TO: IS Co-ordinator / DIRECT REPORTS: None
Experience & Training
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
· Appropriate Level 4 qualification or equivalent e.g. NVQ 4 in Advice & Guidance/LDSS
· Experience of working directly with families and children/young people with special educational needs and disabilities
· Full knowledge of present provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities within the local area
· Knowledge of the roles of other agencies relevant to young people with SEND, how they work and what is available locally and nationally
· Have an understanding of effective approaches to working with young people and families
· Experience of advising, empowering and supporting parents and/or young people
· Be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding procedures
· Be able to demonstrate effective IT skills across the range of Microsoft office applications
· Knowledge and understanding of relevant SEN legislation including: Children & Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2014 and SEND Code of Practice 2014, Education Act 1996 and disability discrimination legislation / · Appropriate Level 6 qualification e.g. NVQ 4 in Advice & Guidance/LDSS plus QCF Level 6 Units 2 (Careers Guidance Theory), Unit 3 (Reflect on and improve professional practice & Unit 6 (Use Career and Labour Market Information with clients)
· Dip. CG/QCG
· Experience of negotiation/advocacy in a multi-agency environment
· Experience of working with education providers (schools, colleges etc)
· Experience of person centred planning
· Knowledge and experience of the issues related to working with young people with SEND and their families
Skills & Abilities
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
· Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively, including excellent listening skills with young people and adults
· Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
· Reliable, flexible and dependable
· Ability to create a positive support environment
· Ability to maintain confidentiality
· Ability to work under pressure and demonstrate emotional resilience
· Ability to empathise with families from a variety of backgrounds, build rapport and develop relationships of trust with families, young people and other professionals
· A commitment to providing independent support to families and young people in a sensitive and professional manner, seeking to empower them to make their own decisions and showing respect for these decisions
· A commitment to attend training and keep up to date with changes in legislation and local policy and practice
· A commitment to Equal Opportunities in all work practices
· Be prepared to seek advice when necessary / · Good report writing and presentation skills
Miscellaneous
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
· Prepared to work flexible hours, including some early evenings and weekends
· Must have a clean driving licence and have access to a car
· Willing and able to travel extensively within an agreed geographical area
· Share with Adviza the commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people