SEND IAS Helpline Worker
Permanent, Full Time
£28,514 to £33,545 per annum
Location: Countywide
Working Style:
Closing Date: 12th October 2025
The Role
The Essex Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) provides confidential and impartial information, advice and support about special educational needs & disabilities (SEND) for children, young people, parents and carers, to empower them to play an active and informed role in issues relating to their education and care.
The focus of the role is to be the vital first point of contact for the service, providing direct support and advice to children, young people, parents and carers. Ongoing casework support for parents/carers, children and young people through telephone and emails will also be required as well as the work necessary to maintain the significant amount of data inputting/record keeping and telephone/online work that is required for the role.
The Opportunity
The post holder will be part of the team responsible for managing a high level of calls, emails and contact forms that are received into the service helpline inbox/message inboxes, from parents/carers, children/young people, schools, colleges and colleagues across a range of statutory and voluntary services.
The post holder will be a source of information and expertise on education provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and on how to communicate and work effectively with parents, children and young people as equal partners, promoting sharing knowledge with parents, children and young people as decision makers, to embed these values in schools, settings and the workforce.
If you are enthusiastic, capable and empathic, with excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, then we would like to hear from you.
Accountabilities
1. 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
2. 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.
3. Responsible for managing a defined caseload ensuring keeping up to date accurate records and data on a daily basis
4. Provide information, advice and support to promote independence and self-advocacy for children, young people, parents and carers.
The Experience You Will Bring
5. Possesses a professional qualification at RQF level 5 (foundation degree) or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.
6. Evidence of continuing professional development with 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.
7. Awareness of the legislation and regulations for all aspects of SEND education
8. provision (SEND legal training is a requirement of SEND IAS Services, which will be provided).
9. Experience of working in partnership with a range of agencies to successfully influence
10. delivery and improve outcomes for children, young people with SEND and their families.
11. 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.
12. 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 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re 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. 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.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about
, 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 vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Essex 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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