Internal Only - Send Adviser (Social, Emotional & Mental Health)

In this key role, you will make a difference in the effectiveness of meeting the needs of children and young people with social emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs across our schools.

We are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people, and you will promote the highest possible standards of education across South Gloucestershire. You will provide strategic leadership, support and guidance to all maintained schools whilst working closely with Multi-Academy Trust partners.

We are also offering this as an internal secondment opportunity. If you are interested, you should first seek your line managers permission before applying.

• Focusing on your expertise and skills, you will support schools and settings to develop their provision to achieve the best possible outcomes for learners with SEMH needs who need additional support to succeed.
• Championing children and young people, you will contribute to their ‘Best Start in Life’ by providing clear school improvement advice to the education sector. You will use your expertise to inform policy development and activity across the council.
• Regularly, you will visit schools to evaluate the quality of school provision and to advise on best practice to meet the needs of learners with SEMH needs.
• Using your knowledge of the education legislation and policies, you will provide feedback to school leaders, providing support and challenge where necessary to ensure that reasonable adjustments are provided to support children and young people.

• You must have a degree and be a qualified teacher with leadership experience.
• You will have substantial experience in a SEND related role. You will have been a SENCO in a school or worked in a SEND context in a mainstream school and be proficient in making adaptations to the curriculum to address the needs of pupils with SEND.
• It is essential for you to have sound knowledge of the education settings and legislation, statutory guidance, quality frameworks, national policies and initiatives that apply to schools including the Ofsted framework and behaviour and attendance guidelines.
• We require you to have a thorough understanding of managing risk in schools such as the consequences of non-compliance.
• Given the elements of this role, you will be solution-focused and able to work with officers and school leaders to develop solutions to complex issues.
• You will be able to judge the quality of education including adaptative approaches for SEND.
• Ideally, you should have experience of planning, managing, leading, and monitoring projects/plans to support pupils with special educational needs.

Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post. 

We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance. 

We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.  

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect. 

As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.

We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.   

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.    

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of  
• We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life  
• We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.    

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.   

We’re making a difference, be part of it!