SENDISS Communication and Interaction Advisory Support Worker

Job Introduction

About Us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire County Council are transforming support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We are building a team of health and education professionals (Experts at Hand) to provide earlier intervention and stronger inclusion in schools settings, providing practical support where it is needed, and helping children and young people receive the right support, at the right time. By sharing your expertise and working collaboratively with colleagues across organisations, you'll play a key role in improving outcomes for children, families, and schools across Oxfordshire.

At Oxfordshire County Council, we are committed to helping every child and young person achieve their potential. Through our Experts at Hand campaign, we're investing in specialist expertise that strengthens inclusion, builds confidence in schools and ensures children and young people with SEND can access the opportunities they deserve.

Working in partnership with schools, families and professional networks, our teams help remove barriers to learning and create positive outcomes for children and young people across the county. 

As part of Experts at Hand, you'll join a collaborative team that shares knowledge, champions innovation and works together to ensure schools have the skills, confidence and support they need to meet the needs of their pupils. 

About the Role

As a Communication and Interaction Advisory Support Worker, you will be a key part of our Communication and Interaction Support Service, helping mainstream schools develop inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people with Communication and Interaction differences, including Autism.

Working within the Experts at Hand model and alongside Specialist Advisory Teachers, you'll provide regular support across primary and secondary schools throughout Oxfordshire. Your work will focus on empowering staff, sharing specialist knowledge and helping schools develop approaches that enable children and young people to participate, learn and thrive in mainstream education. 

You will spend time modelling effective strategies, coaching staff and delivering targeted interventions that support pupils' development, wellbeing and educational progress. Whether helping a child build confidence in social situations, supporting positive transitions between schools, or advising staff on practical approaches to inclusion, your contribution will have a direct and lasting impact on children's daily experiences in education.

A significant part of the role involves building capacity within schools. You'll help staff understand Communication and Interaction differences and develop practical strategies that promote engagement, independence, participation and positive relationships. By sharing expertise and encouraging inclusive approaches, you'll support schools to strengthen their provision and meet the needs of pupils more effectively.

You'll also work closely with families and professional partners, helping ensure children and young people receive consistent, joined-up support that enables them to achieve the best possible outcomes. Throughout the role, you'll champion the voice of the child, helping pupils understand their strengths, express their views and play an active part in shaping their support.

About You

You are passionate about inclusion and believe that every child and young person deserves to feel understood, valued and able to succeed. You recognise that Communication and Interaction differences can present challenges in educational environments and are motivated by helping others develop the understanding and skills needed to overcome barriers.

You'll bring experience of supporting children and young people with Communication and Interaction needs within educational settings, alongside a strong understanding of effective strategies and approaches that promote participation, wellbeing and progress. You may have worked directly with children, supported school staff, or contributed to wider SEND provision, and you'll be confident adapting your approach to meet different needs and situations. 

Strong relationships sit at the heart of this role, so you'll be an excellent communicator who can build trust with pupils, families, school staff and professional partners. You'll be comfortable coaching others, sharing expertise and influencing positive practice in a way that is supportive, collaborative and empowering.

We're looking for someone who is calm, patient and solution-focused, with the ability to work independently across a range of schools and settings. You will be organised, resilient and committed to continually developing your knowledge and practice, whilst always placing children and families at the centre of your work. 

Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to inclusion and our belief that expertise should be accessible when and where it's needed most. If you're ready to use your skills to build confidence, strengthen inclusion and become one of our Experts at Hand, we'd love to hear from you.

Rewards and benefits

• Term-time only working.
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24-7.
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Range of family-friendly policies.

Our Values

Our organisational values underpin everything we do and say and are supported by policies, processes and guidance. In short, our values describe ‘the way we do things here’ so that we deliver great services for our residents. Our values are:

• Always learning
• Be kind and care
• Equality and integrity in all we do
• Taking responsibility
• Daring to do it differently 

Everyone that works for us demonstrates their commitment to these values. We will ask you to demonstrate your commitment to these values, and their associated behaviours, throughout the application process.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you would like an informal discussion about this role, please contact Rachel.Morrison@oxfordshire.gov.uk