Inclusion Officer – Outstanding Royal School Manchester
Location: Cheadle Hulme, SK8 6RQ
Salary: to £34k (FTE) per annum + excellent benefits
Hours: Term time only, 37.5 hours per week
Type: Permanent
Role Summary
At Seashell, we provide education and care for children and young adults with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties/disabilities, sensory impairments, communication disorders and autism.
Our Ofsted Outstanding Royal School Manchester operates from a state of the art school building based on our single site campus in Cheadle. With advanced resources and fantastic teaching and learning facilities, staff room, outdoor areas and swimming pool, it provides an excellent working and learning environment for all. Our highly skilled team of specialist teachers, TAs and therapists work closely with parents, families, and local authorities to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.
We are committed to providing a bespoke education tailored specifically to the needs of our students via 5 distinct learning pathways and their own individual Seashell curriculum. Adopting an adaptable approach our students are able to move between the different learning pathways as their needs evolve.
We are looking for an exceptional and organised Inclusion Officer with excellent interpersonal skills to join our fantastic team. Under the guidance of the Deputy Head, they will ensure the successful transition of students through our learning pathways that focus on links and co-production with our families and all LA professionals. The Inclusion Officer works collaboratively within Seashell and Local Authorities (LAs), and the families of children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) to facilitate successful placements and transitions. It is therefore vital that they have the required skills to develop and maintain long-term relationships with LAs at all levels.
This is a key role to ensure the lived experience for our learners and their families is as seamless as possible, from the start of the school admissions process to our students’ future destinations and beyond.
What you will be doing
* Developing and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse community of internal and external stakeholders including LAs, current providers, and other relevant professionals.
* Building an excellent understanding of LA teams and relevant professionals responsible for making decisions about education placements.
* Developing and maintaining a sound working knowledge of local maintained special schools and colleges and their cohorts.
* Ensuring clear communications with LAs & families regarding student transition pathways.
* Liaising with LAs SEND/education placement teams to ensure all necessary information is received and respond to queries regarding start dates and transition plans.
* Coordinating specialist training for LA schools to be able to support Seashell students on the pathways.
* Taking an active role in the multi-disciplinary teams supporting students who are transitioning in and out of Royal School Manchester.
Who we are looking for
Due to the nature of the role, we need the post holder to possess excellent communication skills to identify, build and develop relationships with new and established external partners and other schools. And to communicate effectively and sympathetically with a wide variety of people including parents, carers, LAs, Seashell staff, feeder schools, residential care and other educational providers.
You will also have an up-to-date knowledge of SEND specific training offered with local authorities enabling you to signpost relevant staff accordingly, and have good knowledge of SEND legislation.
With a background working with children and young people with complex learning difficulties including PMLD, MSI, sensory impairment and/or autism, you will have specific experience supporting children and young adults with SEND through transitions and of the annual review process.
In addition, you must hold a minimum GCSE A – C in English and Maths (or equivalent), or commitment to complete Skills for Life Level 2. Knowledge of communication strategies for non-verbal learners such as BSL, Makaton or signalong is also preferred.
Our benefits
You will have access to a wide range of benefits including: life assurance, employee assistance and wellbeing programmes, on site gym, cycle scheme, private medical, long service awards, employee engagement forum, free parking and a beautiful campus with fantastic facilities all on one site.
We offer good career development opportunities and with a strong, supportive L&D team based on site you will have access to a wide range training courses to grow your Seashell career.
About Seashell
Seashell Trust runs an Outstanding (Ofsted) special School and College together with 17 on-site residential homes for children and young people with complex learning disabilities, physical disabilities and multisensory impairments.
We provide an excellent care environment that is safeguarded and committed to promoting learning, respect and independence, as well as dignity for all of our students. As part of our safer recruitment policy, successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check (no cost), and full references will be taken.
Please upload your CV to apply.
We value our employees and recognise the need to recruit, retain and develop highly skilled and committed talent who share our vision and values!
We value diversity and are committed to equal opportunities. Disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria on the person specification will be guaranteed an interview.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome all applications.
This charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Our vision is for the children and young people in our care to be safe, happy and to achieve the best possible outcomes so that they are valued and valuable members of their communities.