Application Guide
How to Apply for Advice & Guidance Officer
at National Deaf Children S Society
🏢 About National Deaf Children S Society
The National Deaf Children's Society is the leading UK charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. What makes them unique is their child-first approach, combining direct family support with systemic advocacy to improve education, health, and social outcomes. Working here means joining a mission-driven organization that values lived experience and creates tangible impact through both individual guidance and broader policy change.
About This Role
As an Advice & Guidance Officer, you'll provide tailored, person-centered information to deaf children, young people, and their families, helping them navigate education, rights, and daily life. This role is impactful because you empower families to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions, directly improving outcomes and confidence. You'll bridge individual support with systemic knowledge, working both remotely and at events to ensure accessibility across communities.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with checking digital inquiries from families via email or chat, researching specific SEND cases, and preparing tailored advice resources. You could have video calls with young people to explore their education options, followed by collaborating with local authority professionals to coordinate support. Later, you might update case notes using agile tools, plan for an upcoming online workshop for parents, or travel occasionally to an in-person community event to provide guidance.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who National Deaf Children S Society Is Looking For
- Has direct experience providing SEN/deafness-related advice to families and young people, both digitally and in person, with a track record of person-centered practice.
- Possesses strong working knowledge of UK education law, SEND frameworks (e.g., EHCPs), and local implementation, coupled with understanding of deafness's impact on child development and family dynamics.
- Is digitally proficient and comfortable with agile working principles, able to manage remote caseloads while building relationships with professionals and organizations.
- Demonstrates empathy and cultural competence around deafness, possibly through lived experience, professional background, or deep engagement with deaf communities.
📝 Tips for Applying to National Deaf Children S Society
Highlight specific examples where you've translated SEND legislation (e.g., Equality Act 2010, SEND Code of Practice) into practical advice for families—quantify impact if possible.
Emphasize your experience with both digital and face-to-face delivery, noting tools or platforms you've used for remote support (e.g., video calls, chat services) and how you ensure accessibility.
Tailor your CV to show understanding of deafness beyond basics—mention topics like language development, assistive technology, or family-centered practice, referencing NDCS resources if familiar.
Demonstrate agile values explicitly: describe how you've adapted support dynamically, collaborated across teams, or iterated on advice based on feedback.
If you have a DBS check already, note it; otherwise, express willingness to undergo one and highlight any safeguarding training or experience.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for NDCS's mission and how your background aligns with their child-first, barrier-free vision—reference specific campaigns or services if possible.", 'Concrete examples of providing person-centered advice to deaf/SEN families, emphasizing outcomes like increased confidence or resolved issues.', 'How you balance detailed knowledge (e.g., of EHCP processes) with empathetic communication, tailoring approaches to different ages and needs.', 'Your ability to work remotely and flexibly while maintaining strong professional networks and event participation.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore NDCS's recent campaigns and policy work (e.g., on education funding, access to services) to understand their strategic priorities.
- → Review their family support services online, such as helplines, resources, and events, to see how this role fits into their ecosystem.
- → Look into key legislation and guidance they reference, like the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Equality Act 2010, especially regarding deaf children.
- → Familiarize yourself with agile principles and how they might apply to remote, iterative support work in a charity context.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic disability language without specificity to deafness—avoid lumping it with other SEN without showing nuanced understanding.
- Overemphasizing administrative experience without highlighting direct advice-giving or family interaction in your examples.
- Failing to address both digital and in-person aspects of the role, or not demonstrating flexibility for event attendance alongside remote work.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to National Deaf Children S Society!