Skills and Employability Adviser (SEND Specialist)

Job Title: Skills and Employability Adviser (SEND Specialist)

Location: Eastbourne and covering the West of East Sussex

Salary: £25,497 - £30,476 pro rata (depending on experience)

Hours: Part-time (29.6 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Area Manager

About CXK

CXK empowers people to succeed in employment, education and training. The charity strives for a fairer society where everyone can grow and realise their potential. The CXK Way embodies the following core values:

• Ethical We work with professionalism, honesty and integrity.
• Passionate We reach out enthusiastically to all who need out support.
• Innovative We inspire, enhance and improve.
• Collaborative We engage, support and share with others.

The Youth Employability Service

CXK delivers the Ychnoouth Employability Service (YES) across East Sussex, commissioned by East Sussex County Council. We offer information, advice, support and guidance to young people in academic years 12 and 13 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), helping them to explore their options, plan and then take their next steps. We also work with schools supporting young people in year 11 who are at risk of becoming NEET. Liaising with a range of other services, YES is focussed on supporting young people to achieve their potential.

The Team

The YES team support young people from across the county, seeing them at CXK bases, partner venues or in community settings. The team assess and action plan with young people referred to the service, supporting them to understand their options and take steps toward achieving their goals around education, training and/ or employment. Working with a wide range of young people, the team approach is focused, creative and persistent, building on young peoples confidence and motivation alongside their skills and personal growth.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Skills and Employability Adviser (SEND Specialist)

You will support a caseload of young people aged 16 to 18 with SEND who are either not in education, employment, or training (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET. You will guide them through re-engagement with suitable post-16 provisions and provide targeted intervention to those who have withdrawn from or not started their named placements. For young people with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in Year 14 and above, you may also offer short-term support through a brief intervention approach.

You will support young people at risk of NEET as they transition from secondary education into post-16 pathways. Working across the West of East Sussex with students in special schools and mainstream settings, you will play a key role in ensuring that young people with SEND particularly those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) receive the tailored guidance and support they need to progress confidently into further education, training, or employment. Your work will align with East Sussex s Assessment and Planning Team and the statutory guidance outlined in the SEND Code of Practice. You will build positive working relationships through co-located working, and accurate input into relevant databases.

You will maintain regular contact with the young people you support, building trust and ensuring that casework is delivered with care and consistency. Your role will involve assessing needs, action planning, reviewing progress, and adapting support as required. You'll also act as a champion for SEND-specific opportunities and resources ensuring young people, parents, providers, and wider stakeholders are aware of what s available and how it can help.

About You

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience working with young people with SEND, who understands the post-16 education and training landscape and the importance of person-centred support. You will be a confident communicator and collaborator, able to manage a varied caseload and make a genuine impact on the lives of the young people you support.

Skills and Knowledge

At CXK we are proud to be a disability confident and equal opportunities employer. We actively promote diversity within our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Minimum Criteria

• Relevant qualification in youth work, careers guidance, education, or SEND
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience liaising effectively with schools, parents/carers, and multi-agency professionals

Essential Criteria

• Full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle
• Experience working with young people with SEND, including those with an EHCP
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and statutory responsibilities relating to post-16 transition
• Proven ability to engage and support young people who are NEET or at risk of NEET
• Ability to assess individual needs, develop action plans, and monitor progress
• Skilled in managing a varied caseload and maintaining accurate and confidential records
• Understanding of the post-16 education, training, and employment landscape.
• Experience of co-located or multi-agency working in an educational or support setting
• Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Competent in using IT systems, databases, and digital communication tools

Employee Experience

A career with CXK is deeply rewarding and offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. As part of the Youth Employability Service (YES) team, this role gives you the chance to empower and motivate young people with SEND to take positive steps into education, employment, or training.

You ll work independently and proactively, with the flexibility to manage your own diary and plan your week around the needs of your caseload. No two days are the same you ll balance 1:1 support, multi-agency collaboration, school visits, and provider engagement. It s a role that requires initiative, empathy, and a passion for creating opportunities for young people who need it most.

At CXK, we are committed to supporting our staff to grow, thrive, and develop their potential. You ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values inclusion, wellbeing, and continuous learning.

Benefits of working with us

Our employee benefits include:

• 30-33 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Defined contribution pension scheme (matched by CXK up to 10% depending on length of service criteria)
• Benenden private healthcare cover
• Flexible working
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Training and development programmes and opportunities
• Mental and physical healthcare initiatives and more

Recruitment Timeline

Vacancy closing date: Thursday 3rd July 2025

Application review date: Friday 4th July 2025

Interviews dates: Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Useful Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment Team.

Please note: Applicants will need to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide references before any offer of employment is made.