Special educational needs support worker jobs in London

ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

This is a specialist youth work role with two complementary areas of practice focus: (a) gender-responsive work with girls and gender-diverse young people experiencing or at risk of violence, harmful practices, exploitation, and coercive control; and (b) inclusive practice with neurodivergent young people whose support needs are routinely missed by mainstream youth provision.

VAWG specialism is the primary area of expertise for this role; SEN-aware practice is a complementary area of focus, supported by mentorship and consultation from Angel Shed Theatre and external SEN expertise where deeper input is needed. The role is designed to ensure that the cohorts most often underserved by violence-reduction provision — particularly neurodivergent girls — are reached and supported well.

The post holder will work within MGWT's trauma-informed practice framework, in close collaboration with the Dahlia Project on harmful practices, and within Andover's operational vision.

KEY AREAS AND OUTCOMES

Specialist practice — VAWG and gender-responsive work

• Lead on the design and delivery of a weekly girls and gender-diverse group at Andover, with structured progression and trauma-informed group work practice

• Provide 1:1 keywork to young people experiencing or at risk of gender-based violence, harmful practices (FGM, forced marriage, breast ironing), online and image-based abuse, and coercive control

• Hold a clear understanding of safeguarding pathways for harmful practices and serious youth-on-youth violence, working closely with MGWT's Safeguarding Lead and the Dahlia Project

• Support the wider Andover team to develop gender-responsive practice across all sessions

• Contribute to safety planning for individual young people in collaboration with the Safeguarding Lead

Specialist practice — SEN-aware and neurodivergent-inclusive work

• Co-design and deliver a sensory-aware parallel offer for neurodivergent young people, in partnership with Angel Shed Theatre

• Provide adapted 1:1 support to neurodivergent young people, including those with and without formal diagnosis

• Build and sustain referral relationships with SEN services, schools' SENCos, and partner organisations including the LYTP SEND project

• Support the wider Andover team to develop SEN-aware and trauma-informed practice across all sessions

Outreach, engagement, and youth voice

• Build and sustain trusting relationships with young people from the cohorts the role is designed to reach

• Lead on outreach and engagement activity to reach young people not currently accessing the service, particularly girls, gender-diverse young people, and neurodivergent young people

• Support the embedding of youth voice in the design and review of the specialist offer, with paid lived experience contributors where appropriate

Safeguarding and partnerships

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding pathways relevant to VAWG, harmful practices, and SEN-related vulnerability

• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in line with policy

• Work in partnership with the Dahlia Project, Angel Shed Theatre, and external specialist organisations to maintain the quality of practice

• Participate in multi-agency meetings as needed for individual young people

Reporting and learning

• Maintain accurate records of 1:1 keywork, group sessions, and outcomes

• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the VRU Stronger Futures programme and other relevant funded streams

• Contribute to learning and reflective practice across the Andover team

This job description is a broad outline of your main responsibilities. Manor Gardens' employees may be required to undertake other work at times in order to provide flexible services. In addition, all employees are required to:

• Support the broader mission and objectives of MGWT and contribute to its overall strategy

• Contribute to the shared operational effectiveness of MGWT through attendance and contribution to organisational team meetings and working groups

• Ensure organisational data collection and reporting processes are completed as required

• Know and adhere to MGWT policies and procedures

PERSON SPECIFICATION

a)  Specialist knowledge and experience of working with women, girls, or gender-diverse young people affected by violence, harmful practices, exploitation, or coercive control

b)  An understanding of neurodiversity, with willingness to develop SEN-aware practice further through mentorship from Angel Shed Theatre and external training

c)  JNC qualification in youth work, social work, or a related qualification (or working towards), or equivalent specialist experience

d)  At least two years' experience of working with young people in a youth work, community, or specialist support setting

e)  A strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and the principles of safe disclosure

f)  Knowledge of the safeguarding landscape relating to VAWG, harmful practices, and exploitation, including referral pathways in Islington or comparable boroughs

g)  Experience of running group work for young people, including closed groups, with structured progression

h)  Experience of 1:1 keywork or casework with young people experiencing complex harm

i)  Strong relational and communication skills with young people whose trust is hard-won

j)  Ability to work flexibly across after-school and school holiday provision, including evening hours

k)  Lived experience of any of the issues this role addresses is welcomed and valued, although not required

l)  A mature, thoughtful, and reflective approach to equalities, diversity, and the intersection of gender, race, disability, and class

m)  Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records

n)  Willingness to engage in regular reflective supervision