SEND Navigator

Job Overview

SEND navigators play a vital role in the work of Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC by helping families in Somerset to access good quality information, understand their entitlements and help them to access these. You’ll be helping to guide and support parent carers in their journey by building networks of community support, building relationships and working in partnership with families and professionals to improve outcomes for the child and family.

The navigator will work in different areas of the county during the project with the aim of supporting parent carers to build an information and support network in their locality, based either in the school or community.

The role of a SEND Navigator can be varied so flexibility is essential. The following represents the range of tasks, duties and responsibilities you will undertake within this role.

Duties

• Work with other team members to develop and organising support for families of children 0-25 with identified or emerging additional needs.
• Provide up to date information on a range of subjects important to parent carers.
• Support parent carers to understand their children’s needs enabling them to care for these.
• Establish peer to peer networks within education and community settings.
• Work as part of the team to organise and run events and training to enable parent carers to manage own wellbeing.
• Introduce new initiatives based on families’ needs/feedback, in line with SPCF business plan, other projects and funding.
• Ensuring equipment and resources are well maintained, safe, clean, and reporting any missing or damaged resources to your line manager to ensure timely repair or replacement.
• Support the development of a support journal for parent carers and reviewing this at least annually to ensure it continues to meet the needs of families.
• Attend quarterly support group forum meetings.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of visits and conversations using the forums CRM system.

Requirements

• GCSE or equivalent pass in English and Maths
• IT skills including Microsoft applications (word, outlook,teams and excel)
• Willing to undertake training to be able to fulfil role
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Experience of working with parent carers and/or an understanding of issues affecting their ability to support their children
• Experience of using a CRM/database system
• Good written and verbal communication
• Excellent time management skills
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate with professionals, colleagues, and parent carers
• Good listening skills
• Ability to prioritise and multitask
• Able to use own initiative and work on their own if needed
• Ability to build relationships quickly with parent carers
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Open and honest
• Willingness to work with others in a solution focused way
• Flexibility in working hours when necessary.
• Ability to travel

The role is 20 hours per week term time only with one day a week based in our Yeovil office and the remaining time either home working or visits across Somerset.

For more details and an application pack please visit our website www.somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk

Important notes

An application form needs to be completed to comply with our safer recruitment -CV will not be accepted.

Shortlisting on the 5th October with interviews taking place the week of the 12th October.

Pay: £14.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Work Location: In person