SEND Information Advice Guidance Officer

Job Title: SEND Information Advice Guidance Officer
Starting Salary: £53,806 progressing to £59,497 pa per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37.0
Location: Hertfordshire
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services

About the team

Our team provides a vital early advice and guidance service for professionals working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We create space for reflective conversations, helping professionals explore creative solutions and access support at the earliest opportunity. Using a strengths-based approach, we aim to build confidence in those working with children and young people, ensuring that the child and family remain at the heart of everything we do.

About the role

As a Senior SEND Information, Advice and Guidance Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Hertfordshire’s approach to inclusive education. You will lead on providing expert advice to education settings, empowering professionals to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND as early and effectively as possible.

This is a highly influential position within our frontline response, requiring strategic thinking and proactive engagement with schools, multi-disciplinary teams, and community networks. You will be the first point of contact for schools seeking guidance, offering professional insight, navigating complex situations, and connecting them with the right resources and services.

Your work will:

• Drive improvements in inclusive practice across schools and settings.
• Reduce escalation of needs through early intervention.
• Build confidence and capability among professionals.
• Promote a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

You will be based locally, working in partnership with schools and agencies, and will actively network with health, social care, and community services to ensure holistic support for children and families.

We will support you with comprehensive training, reflective practice sessions, and access to a strong professional network to help you succeed in this senior role. This is also an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills and strategic thinking, preparing you for future career progression within SEND services or wider education leadership roles.

About you

We are looking for a confident and experienced professional who can combine strategic leadership with hands-on support. You will have:

Essential:

• Proven experience in a leadership role involving SEND.
• In-depth knowledge of inclusive strategies, reasonable adjustments, and child development.
• Strong understanding of SEND statutory processes, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
• Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders such as Headteachers and SENCOs.
• Excellent communication skills, demonstrating empathy, curiosity, and solution-focused thinking.
• Proactive and creative approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to build and maintain positive networks across schools, local authorities, health, and social care.
• Confidence in using data and intelligence to shape service development and drive improvement.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Full UK driving licence and regular access to a vehicle.

Desirable:

• Leadership experience within schools or specialist settings.
• Experience in Special Schools or Specialist Resource Provisions.
• Statutory SEND experience at a leadership level.

Why Join Us?

If you are passionate about making a real difference for children and young people with SEND and want to influence inclusive practice across Hertfordshire, this is an exciting opportunity to lead change. You will be part of a forward-thinking team committed to early intervention and improving outcomes for children and families. Alongside making an impact, you’ll gain valuable leadership experience and transferable skills that will support your future career ambitions.

This job role is within the Community Services, level COM13 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Community services

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Sally Glossop (sally.glossop@hertfordshire.gov.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: 26th and 29th January

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.