Sensory Support Specialist - Working for Essex

About the role

Sensory Support Specialist

Permanent, Term Time

£25,081 to £28,984 per annum

Location: Basildon

Term time working approximately 39 weeks per year. Salary based on term time £21,574 up to £24,931 per annum.

Interviews will be held 20th October in person at County Hall, Chelmsford.

Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life experience of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our vision is for a SEND system which identifies and assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and impactful support without such high dependence

on Essex County Council’s statutory services.

Sensory Impairment Support Specialists will support a caseload of children/young people with a physical and/or neurological impairment (CYP with a PNI). They will work in educational settings from pre-school to post 16, providing advice, support and coaching in relation to PNI (a severe physical and/or medical impairment).

Accountabilities

Guided and supported by a Specialist Teacher/the team’s Line Manager:

Support and work directly with a temporary caseload of children with a PNI, as directed and overseen by a PNI Specialist Teacher.
Collaborate with education setting staff to develop the knowledge and skills required to meet the holistic needs of CYP with a PNI.
Work with education staff and other key professionals to plan, resource and implement individual programmes to support the successful development of children with a PNI.
Model specific support strategies related to a child’s individual needs, communicating effectively within an educational setting, including in situations that are perceived as challenging. ·
Participate in delivering training for education staff (this may include manual handling/hoist training, software coaching and various PNI-related workshops). ·
Promote and develop the independence of children with a PNI in collaboration with the Specialist Teacher and the educational setting staff. ·
Deliver targeted interventions that improve outcomes for CYP with a PNI and support at all points of change, including transition into and inclusion within all educational settings. ·
Contribute to children’s multi-agency planning and reviews, and, where appropriate, One Planning, Education, Health & Care Plan Needs Assessments and Outcome meetings. ·
Under the guidance of the Specialist Teacher, create specialist resources and disseminate these to other team members. ·
Regular communication with the specialist teacher/s; reviewing progress made and planning next steps.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to RQF Level 3 (A Level) or higher, or equivalent by experience.
An interest and passion for supporting CYP with a PNI and has an enthusiastic, empathetic, and motivating attitude.
Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge within
relevant professional area. SEND training is desirable (particularly in relation to Physical Impairment).
An interest in/a willingness to engage with assistive technology to support learning. The ability to coach education staff in the use of certain software and hardware (after receiving any necessary training).
A willingness to engage in a variety of continuing professional development to develop applicant’s specialist knowledge.
Experience of working successfully with children with SEND (ideally including physical impairment and pre-school/early years) in an educational or home setting.
Excellent interpersonal skills with experience in or a willingness to deliver training to individuals or small groups.
Experience of working effectively in partnership with a range of different people in a multi-agency environment.
Ability to plan and implement individual learning programmes, with the guidance of the specialist teacher.
Ability to work independently, and as part of a team.
Ability to use own initiative; problem-solve, and work flexibly to meet service needs.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: Education

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle,or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email christine.simmons@essex.gov.uk

Downloads

Pay and Reward | Our Ways of Working | About Us | Organisation Behaviours