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Understanding special needs

Work for us

Families InFocus is a vibrant, engaging place to work. We regularly recruit to our committed team of staff and volunteers. If you want to use your skills and experience to make a positive difference to the lives families with SEND children, then take a look at our latest vacancies below.

Why work for us

Families InFocus is a great place to work. Our dedicated and hard-working team constantly put families with SEND children at the heart of everything we do.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

  • A non-contributory pension scheme (Families InFocus pay 8%, rising to 10% after 18 months of service).
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Competitive salary.
  • Enhanced annual leave.
  • A flexible, friendly place to work.
  • A range of flexible working options.
  • Full training and development.

Our current vacancies

Family Support Adviser  – Join Our Valued Team at Families InFocus (Essex)

Salary – £26, 873 to £30,296 annual Salary

Up to full time, 37 hours per week, minimum of 21 hours – Office based in Chelmsford

Are you passionate about making a difference every day? Do you thrive on contributing to positive change for those in need? Do you have resilience and adaptability? Do you value being part of a team? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

About Us: Families InFocus (FiF) is a well-known and respected charity that supports families with children and young people, aged 0-25 who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Our vision is to create a more inclusive society in Essex, where every child and young person with SEND can realise their full potential.

What are we looking for: We’re seeking someone who has prior knowledge of the SEND system, either as a parent/carer or as a professional from education/ health/social care or the third sector; who understands the whole SEND landscape (or specific elements),and is an ordinary person from any walk of life and background with an extraordinary passion for making a positive difference to our SEND families.

Every day you will get the opportunity to support families, helping them understand where they are on the SEND journey and guiding them towards the next steps:

  • Empowering them and giving them the information and tools to be the best carer they can be
  • Amplifying the voices of SEND children and young people regardless of their background.

Every week you will be part of a supportive team that pools expertise and knowledge to make a positive difference, even in challenging circumstances. You will use this collective  knowledge to better engage with schools and other professionals, improving outcomes for our families.

Ultimately you will be part of a charity that is a force for good; working as part of a team that does not accept the status quo but will represent the needs and challenges of Essex SEND families to all that need to hear it.

To get this level of collaboration and team work you will need to be based at our Chelmsford office. Travel around the county is required and therefore your own transport is essential.

Summary of Package:

Length of Contract:                   Permanent

Hours of work:                            Family Support Advisers will be required to work flexibly.

 Place of work:                             From our office in Chelmsford. Own transport is essential.

Annual Leave:                              24 days entitlement plus 8 paid public holidays. Increasing to 27 days entitlement after 5 years service.

Pension:                                        After completion of 3 months’ satisfactory service, eligible staff are automatically enrolled into our workplace pension scheme.  Current employer contributions are 8% of basic salary, rising to 10% of salary after 18 months.

Probationary period:              Confirmation of employment is subject to successful completion of a probationary period of 3 months.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

To apply, please email helpline@fifessex.org.uk for an application form and a copy of the job description.

The closing date for applications is 27th November 2024, however we reserve the right to make an appointment prior to the closing date.

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