SEND Officer

Would you like to become part of an innovative free school, within a nationally renowned multi academy trust. An organisation that will nurture your talents and provide high quality ongoing professional development.

Outwood Academy Riverside is an 11-16 provision which opened in September 2020 as part of the Free Schools Programme. As part of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, the academy provides an exceptional provision for young people in our local community, ensuring Students first: raising standards and transforming the lives of children, in the heart of Middlesbrough. Riverside is a special place to work, as there is genuine care for each member of our family. The Riverside community is proud of who we are and what we stand for. We nurture talents and develop skills, supporting one another, with kindness and compassion.

At the start of each academic year all students are inducted into the Riverside values program. This teaches them to understand how to master their emotions, develop their knowledge and wisdom, become kind and compassionate individuals, learn how to protect themselves and their ideals, develop a healthy respect for staff and students, see the importance of truth, integrity and loyalty, be courageous in situations that are difficult, be proud of who they are and be ‘lionhearted’ and fearless in the pursuit of their own happiness.

As a key figure in our 'family', you will be expected to contribute to the daily support of the school and ensure all our pupils are catered for during their time in our setting. Your team will consist of a SENDCO and TAs at varying grades. We are seeking to appoint a SEND Officer with the drive to contribute to an atmosphere of respect, recognition, and mutual support within the academy. Promoting equality and supporting the values and diversity of the school community is essential to our ethos. Our SEND Officer will support our SENDCo to ensure the Academy identifies and addresses the needs of our students who may be in receipt of an EHCP or on the pathway to explore the needs for a dditional high needs funding.

The successful candidate needs to be extremely well organised, have the ability to prioritise workload, ensure strict deadlines are met and adhere to the SEND Code of Practice. Working with the most vulnerable children in society, it is fundamental that you can deal with challenges that students present with and work with parents and external agencies in a professional, prompt and confidential manner. The ability to work on your own initiative, be a role model to others and effectively manage others are essential. You will have a good understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and Looked After Children guidance. Experience of working with students with SEND is essential as is the ability to produce strategies and interventions to assist our more vulnerable students achieve their full potential.

Outwood Academy Riverside is currently at Russell Street, Middlesbrough. A new, state of the art, school will be built on Pioneering Way, adjacent to Middlesbrough College. In the interim, as the school grows, we will have a satellite site in Eston, opening in September 2024. Appointed staff may be deployed to work at that site. There is not a vast distance between the two sites and it will be a ‘mirror image’ of everything Riverside is about.

To view the job description, please click here.

To view the person specification, please click here.

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: Midday on 14 July 2024.

We reserve the right to close advertisements early. Advertisements will therefore close the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.