Job Purpose

Preparing for Adulthood is a service developed collaboratively between Children and Families, Education and Adult Social Care. Preparing for Adulthood is recognised as a service in which young people with SEND can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

The Lead Preparing for Adulthood Advisor contributes to the delivery of the Local Authorities Duty, under the Education and Skills Act 2008 and the Children and Family' Act 2014, which introduced the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Reforms/Code of Practice.

Providing high quality information, advice and guidance to vulnerable young people with a wide range of multi and complex needs. Supporting young people's progression onto appropriate opportunities in education, training and employment.

Service/Functional Accountabilities

Lead a team of skilled practitioners, using professional supervision, to develop reflective and effective performance, allocating and managing caseloads, with clear targets and monitoring performance.

Accountable for quality assuring delivery of performance through the observation of professional practice and maintaining accuracy of client's records on the IYSS database in line with the Department for Education guidance.

Responsible for managing, planning and organising a caseload, building resilience of young people and their families and preparing for adulthood.

Develop effective approaches to integrated working with internal partners such as Social Care and external partners, including senior colleagues in education, employers, training providers and the voluntary sector to sharing advice and knowledge across Social Care.

Work collaboratively across Social Care to discuss and influence packages and support plans for young people by attending monthly Quadrant forums.

Work collaboratively with Targeted Employment Officer to identify employment opportunities for young people with SEND.

Contribute to the integration of policy development, performance and resources in the planning and delivery of service solutions.

Accountable for any safeguarding concerns regarding service users and/or team members, ensuring compliance with the Essex SET child protection procedures.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Possess a recognised professional qualification in Careers Guidance and Development to RQF level 6 (Batchelor's Degree).

Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements

Significant experience of working with young people with SEND.

Strong leadership skills which drive a highly performing and motivated multi-disciplinary team from diverse backgrounds, to achieve strategic objectives in a multi-agency context and drive cultural and operational change.

Experience of interpreting and analysing data sets.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to negotiate and seek solutions to challenging and complex situations.

Ability to build strong working relationships which are collaborative and influential in nature.

As part of employment with Essex County Council should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please visit: https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. For more information please use the following link: https://www.workingforessex.com/benefits/

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please email or call us on 0333 013 5888. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 16.30.