Advocacy Officer

Job Title: Advocacy Officer

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Advocacy Officer to join our team at Blatchington Court Trust. As an Advocacy Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting families and children with vision impairments to access the education and resources they need to thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advocate for children and young people with vision impairments to ensure access to appropriate educational support and resources in mainstream and specialist schools and colleges.
• Provide guidance on the rights of children with vision impairments and how to navigate the SEND system effectively.
• Support families in understanding their child's Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) and ensure it accurately reflects the child's needs.
• Be a single point of regular and consistent contact for the child or young person and their parents/carers, supporting them at multi-agency meetings.
• Provide information and signposting where necessary, and offer emotional and practical support as required.
• Empower the child/young person and their families to make decisions and use a personal budget effectively.

SEND Tribunal Support:

• Provide practical and emotional support to families involved in First Tier SEND Tribunals, offering guidance on how to present their case effectively.
• Ensure high-quality preparation and follow-up of client cases for SEN Tribunals and ensure that any directions/actions are completed within the time frames set.
• Collate evidence, ensuring all necessary documentation is complete and submitted in a timely manner.
• Attend tribunal hearings to offer advocacy and representation where appropriate, and assist with post-tribunal follow-up.

Partnership Working:

• Liaise with schools, local authorities, and other stakeholders in a respectful, transparent, and effective manner to ensure coordinated support for children with vision impairments.
• Work closely with medical professionals, vision impairment specialists, and social workers to ensure comprehensive support is provided for the child's educational and personal development needs.
• Build strong relationships with local and national vision impairment organisations to promote collaboration and share best practices.

Case Management:

• Manage a caseload of approximately 20 clients, ensuring regular communication and timely interventions.
• Use our case management system to maintain accurate records of casework, including meetings, correspondence, and tribunal outcomes, adhering to data protection and confidentiality policies.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy interventions, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure the best outcomes for clients.
• Follow up with relevant services where further support and intervention are required.
• Ensure all transitions between education and life phases are managed effectively and seamlessly within statutory deadlines.

Training and Awareness Raising:

• Deliver training and workshops on the rights of children with vision impairments and how to navigate the SEND system effectively.

Policy and Research:

• Stay informed on changes in legislation and policy affecting SEND and vision impairments, sharing updates with families and colleagues as needed.
• Contribute to policy consultations and research initiatives that aim to improve services for children with vision impairments.

Person Specification:

• A good knowledge of the Children & Families Act (2014); SEN Code of Practice 2015 and the tribunal process; Education Act 1996 and any subsequent revisions or new legislation is essential.
• Successful casework management experience within a SEND, education, or other related Local Authority service is essential.
• Ability to be articulate, succinct, and to understand essential detail from a large volume of information.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to support and empower families through complex legal and educational processes.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines within timescales.
• Empathy, patience, and the ability to provide emotional support to families in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Sound judgement and analytical skills leading to effective service delivery.
• The ability to gather, understand, and use data to make informed and effective decisions in relevant service areas.
• Experience of, or the ability to gain skills in developing and delivering training to parents, carers, and partner agencies.

Salary details: £28,000 per annum working 28 hours per week or £35,000 per annum working 35 hours per week.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 28 – 35 per week

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/10/2024
Expected start date: 02/01/2025

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