JOB DESCRIPTION –Independent Support Co-ordinator

ADVIZA PARTNER SHIP / Grade /Salary: E
JOB TITLE:Independent Support
Co-ordinator / HOURS OF WORK: 37 hours p.w.
REPORTS TO: Strategic Lead for SEND / DIRECT REPORTS: Independent Supporters (Paid and Voluntary)
Adviza is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all customers and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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 who 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:
To co-ordinate the provision of Independent Support in a designated locality, line managing the paid Independent Supporter and recruiting, training and supporting volunteer Independent Supporters, matching them with appropriate parents/carers and/or young people with SEND who require an Independent Support service.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support the Strategic Lead for SEND in the development, promotion, co-ordination and delivery of the Independent Support Service in a designated locality
Undertake activities involved in the recruitment and selection of volunteer independent supporters, which may include giving presentations to existing parent/carer support groups, parent/carer forums or special events designed to promote the volunteer opportunity
Manage all the processes around volunteer engagement including volunteer agreements, DBS checks, and reference checking.
Support the paid and volunteer Independent Supporters to provide accurate and up-to-date information to parents/carers or young people in line with recent legislation and local procedures, including:
Children and Families Act 2014
SEND Regulations 2014
SEND Code of Practice 2014
The Local Authority Transition Plan
 Have an understanding of current legislation including the Education
Act 1996 and disability discrimination legislation.
Have an understanding of Personal Budgets in the context of an EHC Plan
Have a thorough knowledge of the local offer
Have an understanding of dispute resolution and complaints procedures in relation to EHC Assessment and Plans
Allocate cases, matching volunteers with parent/carers and/or young people based on need, expertise of volunteer and caseload
Monitor IS interventions ensuring they are time limited and appropriately recordedensuring information is shared appropriately and in line with the Data Protection Act and that all confidential information is kept secure in keeping with company policy and procedure and national legislation
Co-ordinate feedback activities and be the first point of contact for any concerns/complaints
Co-ordinate shadowing opportunities for volunteers with existing providers of IAS, and manage ongoing training requirements
Provide regular support and supervision sessions to paid and volunteer Independent Supporters
Manage volunteer expenses
Develop effective communication channels with education providers, social care and other relevant agencies to facilitate effective delivery of an Independent Support Service
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
Work in collaboration with other Adviza IS Co-ordinators to facilitate a team approach to the delivery if Independent Support across the region
To undertake other duties as directed by the Strategic Lead for SEND as the role develops
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 employees1
Managed/supervised (directly)
Number of Volunteers Up to 40
Managed/supervised
Budgetary control None

PERSON SPECIFICATION–Independent Support Co-ordinator

ADVIZA PARTNERSHIP / GRADE/SALARY: E
JOB TITLE: Independent Support Co-ordinator / HOURS OF WORK: 37 Hours p.w.
REPORTS TO: Strategic Lead for SEND / DIRECT REPORTS: Independent Supporters (Paid and Voluntary)
Experience & Training
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
  • Educated to degree level or appropriate Level 4 qualification e.g. NVQ 4 in Advice & Guidance/LDSS
  • Experience of working directly with families and children/young people with special educational needs and disabilities
  • Experience of supervising/managing volunteers or staff
  • 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
  • Counselling/coaching qualification or experience
  • 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
  • Good report writing and presentation skills
  • 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

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