Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)

Job Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate SENCO to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in SEN education and experience working with children in various capacities. This role involves creating a nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes learning and development for young learners.

General duties

· Have responsibility for determining the strategic development of SEND policy and provision in the school.

· Have day-to-day responsibility for the coordination of SEND provision to support individual pupils.

· Advise on the graduated approach to providing SEND support.

· Advise on the deployment of the school’s delegated budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively.

· Liaise with the parents of pupils with SEND.

· Liaise with early years providers (where required), other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals and other bodies with regards to SEND provision.

· Be the key point of contact with external agencies, particularly the LA and its support services, and ensure that these links are actively promoted.

· Liaise with potential next providers of education to ensure pupils and their parents are informed about their options, and that a smooth transition is planned.

· Work with the Head of Education and the governing board to ensure that the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 with regards to reasonable adjustments and access arrangements.

· Ensure the school keeps an accurate record of all pupils with SEND and that this remains up-to-date.

· Undertake training and CPD to improve and maintain a well-rounded knowledge of SEND provision to ensure duties can be effectively performed.

· Ensure the specific requirements of pupils with SEND are understood and support measures are implemented effectively.

· Have a sound knowledge of how relevant legislation, including the ‘SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years’, impacts the school’s SEND provision.

· Understand how the needs of pupils with SEND change as they get older.

· Participate in the implementation of EHC plans with parents of pupils with SEND, monitoring their impact and making any necessary adjustments to ensure pupils make progress.

· Attend meetings when required.

Teaching and learning

· Liaise with the Head of Education to ensure an appropriate, broad, high-quality and cost-effective curriculum is delivered to pupils with SEND.

· Keep up-to-date with local and national developments in teaching pupils with SEND and communicate these to all members of staff.

Monitor teaching and learning activities to ensure that they meet the specific needs of pupils with SEND.

Communication

· Contribute to leadership meetings by reporting on the effectiveness of SEND provision and sharing information with the key stakeholders.

· Ensure staff are aware of developments with regards to SEND provision and policy in their identified areas of responsibility.

· Talk to pupils with SEND and listen to their feedback, with a view to developing a more effective support system.

· Develop and maintain effective relationships with parents, colleagues, the governing board and the local community.

· Develop and maintain links with the LA advisory and support services.

Recording and assessment

· Ensure that the school’s administrative work for SEND is effectively completed.

Work with teachers to set challenging targets for raising achievement amongst pupils with SEND.

Qualifications and Training

Essential:

Have a degree in a relevant subject.

· Have QTS.

· Have taught for at least 2 years

· At least 12 months experience working as a school SENCO.

or

A commitment to achieve a National Award in Special Educational Needs within three years of appointment.

Desirable

· Relevant safeguarding and child protection training undertaken and a willingness to update training regularly.

· Be a trained first aider.

Have achieved a National Award in Special Educational Needs Coordination.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

· Experience of working with pupils with SEND, and pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

· Experience working alongside an SLT to develop the quality of the curriculum and learning activities.

· Experience co-ordinating provision for children with SEND.

· Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and its application.

· Sound knowledge of the graduated approach to providing SEN support.

· Experience of behaviour management techniques for groups and individuals with SEND.

· A good understanding of the principles of school improvement.

· Experience working effectively with colleagues to improve classroom practice.

· Experience utilising and analysing effective assessment systems and recording and maintaining pupil records.

Desirable

· Experience liaising with a range of people, agencies, and professionals including, the parents of pupils, the LA and other providers.

· Demonstrate a greater understanding of how pupils with SEND develop.

· Demonstrate a sound understanding of SEND funding on offer.

· Experience in making reasonable adjustments and access arrangements for pupils with SEND.

The successful candidate will have

· A commitment to equal opportunities and empowering others.

· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

· Excellent time management and organisation skills.

· An ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload, and that of others.

· A flexible approach towards working practices.

· The ability to work as both part of a team and independently.

· An ability to work with pupils and their families in a sensitive and positive way.

· An ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships.

· High levels of drive, energy and integrity.

· Demonstrable leadership qualities, e.g. assertiveness, confidence, resilience.

· An ability to model good practice and engage in self-reflection.

· A commitment to improve current skills and demonstrate a willingness to develop further.

· A commitment to contributing to the wider school community.

Additional requirements

The successful candidate will be

· Flexible, reliable, enthusiastic and patient.

· Inspiring and influential.

· Able to take control, lead and manage situations.

· Consistent in modelling good practice and behaviour.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of young learners!

All candidates will be considered prior to the closing date, and Interviews will take place on the 23rd and 25th October 2024

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £39,000.00-£42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Peterborough, PE3 6AN: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• Interviews will be held on the 23rd and 25th October. Are you available on either date?

Experience:

• SEN: 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Application deadline: 22/10/2024