SEND Team Leader

SEND Team Leader

About the Role

The Supported Engagement Programmes at Somerville House is a developing department created to engage and support young people aged 16-24 to access education. Students on programmes present with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs/SEND. They have historically missed periods of schooling, have an Education, Health and Care Plan and/or are long-term NEET. Students are often referred to these courses by professional bodies such as Social Workers, YOT workers or the Local Authority.

The Supported Engagement Department is a friendly team of professionals working to support students with needs across our variety of learning programmes. We provide help in class to scaffold learning, mentoring for those struggling with the social and emotional demands of college life, referrals to external and internal professionals for assessment (including for exam access arrangements) and work hard to ensure the inclusion of all our learners, particularly those with an Educational, Health and Care Plan. We enjoy close, positive relationships with our curriculum colleagues and external partners. This enables us to maximise the learning outcomes of all our young people with Special Educational Needs with a view to them gaining course offers for their next steps.

This role requires an experienced SEND professional to lead on the placement and support of students with Educational Health Care Plans, SEND, and ALS needs across a specific campus/cohort. You will be an operational main point of contact with parents and curriculum staff, contribute towards positive outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable students, and line manage a highly effective team within the SEND department.

What You Will Do

• Develop knowledge and understanding of SEND legislation and how this impacts the local offer, school/SILC College and employer contexts. 
• Support with the annual review process by chairing meetings and completing paperwork that meets the Local Authority standards and within statutory timelines.
• Respond to consultations within statutory timeframes.
• Ensure delivery of support in line with assessed needs and funding.
• Support with evidence for funding claims for campus, e.g. AEB / ALS / FFI.

About You

• English and Mathematics at Level 2 or above and a willingness to improve in one or both disciplines to level 3 or above.
• Level 5 teaching qualification or relevant SEND / Learning Support related qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Up to date knowledge and understanding of current Government SEND legislation/guidance related to transition, education, social care and health.
• Thorough and up to date Knowledge of Government policy in relation to education and training, including its funding and curriculum / qualification reform.
• Extensive and proven experience of working with students who have high needs / SEND and the implementation of appropriate support strategies.
• Communicating and Working with others: Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders (students, parents, other professional).
• Decision Making, Planning, Prioritisation: Has a solution focused, evidenced based approach to decision making.
• Personal Accountability and Inclusivity: Fosters a positive culture of reviewing and improving current practice, using reflection to identify areas for development for self, colleagues and service provision.

Benefits

There are plenty of benefits available to our staff members, here are just a few:

• Annual leave entitlement - If you work full time, you'll get at least 27 days holiday plus bank holidays and up to 5 discretionary closure days at Christmas (pro rata for part time staff).
• Support Staff 27 days (increasing to 32 days after 5 years service)
• Academic 37 days
• Senior Management 37 days
• Generous Pension schemes
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme 
• Local Government Pension Scheme 
• Memberships and discounts - employees can sign up to various membership cards and discount schemes such as TOTUM card (formerly NUS card). 
• Travel and commuting - discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.
• Learning and development opportunities -  including staff development days
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities - this will vary depending on role requirements

About Us

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally. 

We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City College’s values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does.

We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. You’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.

Join us on the journey to being the best that we can collectively be for our students, apprentices, staff and our stakeholders.