Specialist Advisor

**Why should I choose Somerset County Council?**
Well, for a start, we’re a hugely ambitious council, committed to improving lives for the residents, communities and businesses of Somerset.

And that’s why we’re working so hard to build a sustainable organisation with a culture that rewards, values and recognises our staff, and gives everyone here the opportunity to grow and develop, personally and professionally.

If you’re looking for a place where you work truly matters - where YOU truly matter - we might be just right for you.

We also promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.

**What will I be doing?**
We’re working to improve the lives of children and young people in Somerset - and you’ll be a key part of that.

The Children’s Contact Centre delivers the Inclusion Advice Line (IAL) function for school professionals and parent carers. The IAL has been incredibly successful with conversations around behaviour, exclusions, and next step advice for earlier, more prevention focused discussions. The IAL is currently a team of four, but this is an exciting opportunity to develop the service to allow for greater resilience and faster response times.

Your day-to-day work will involve supporting the Inclusion Advice Line (IAL) within the children’s contact centre:

- Providing real-time support and guidance to the IAL team
- Allocating complex cases and call backs to wider Inclusion Teams/professionals
- Strategic oversight and development of the IAL including Quality Assurance and reporting to the Inclusion Leadership Team
- Training and development of IAL team

**What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?**
We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

- Experience of working with children and young people and an understanding of educational settings and SEND.
- Knowledge and understanding of the SEND Code of Practice 0-25 and statutory requirements and process.
- Knowledge of the Somerset Graduated Response Tool, early intervention, and preventative agenda, including inclusion strategies across the four broad areas of need.
- The ability to support the learning and development of colleagues including modelling, coaching and quality assurance practice.
- Strong communication skills, demonstrating empathy, curiosity, and solution-focussed practice.
- A good level of IT competence and confidence
- Sound organisational skills, an ability to prioritise own work and work to deadlines.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

**What will I be offered in return?**
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
- Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Staff discounts in gyms.
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
- My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

**Anything else I should know?**
The salary for the role is Grade 11, ranging from £28,371 to £32,020 per annum.

This role is a fixed term contract until 31st July 2024.

From 1 April 2023 the County and District councils in Somerset will be replaced by a new single unitary authority - Somerset Council. It’s an exciting time to join us as we work together with the four district councils to deliver the new council for Somerset.

**DBS information**
In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.

Job Reference: SCC04106