The SENCO will provide strategic leadership and operational management of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision across the school. The successful candidate will ensure that pupils with SEND receive high-quality support, enabling them to achieve their full educational, social, emotional, and academic potential.
The SENCO will work closely with senior leaders, teaching staff, external agencies, pupils, and families to ensure statutory duties are fulfilled and that inclusive practices are embedded throughout the school. The postholder will be a key member of the leadership team, driving inclusive practice, safeguarding vulnerable learners, and securing positive outcomes for pupils with complex needs.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership
- Lead and manage the school's SEND provision in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015).
- Develop, implement, and monitor the school's SEND strategy and improvement plan.
- Promote an inclusive culture where all pupils can thrive and achieve.
- Advise the Headteacher and Governors on SEND legislation, policy, and best practice.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of SEND provision and interventions.
- Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements relating to SEND.
- Contribute to whole-school improvement planning and self-evaluation.
Identification, Assessment and Provision
- Oversee the identification and assessment of pupils with SEND.
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date SEND Register.
- Coordinate and contribute to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs).
- Lead the graduated approach: Assess, Plan, Do, Review.
- Analyse pupil data to identify needs, barriers to learning, and intervention priorities.
- Ensure pupils receive appropriate and effective support based on assessed need.
- Monitor the impact of interventions and adjust provision accordingly.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- Lead the implementation, monitoring, and review of EHCPs.
- Coordinate Annual Reviews and ensure statutory deadlines are met.
- Prepare professional reports for Local Authorities and external agencies.
- Ensure provision specified within EHCPs is delivered effectively.
- Support pupils and families throughout the EHCP process.
- Attend and contribute to review meetings and professional panels.
Teaching and Learning
- Support teachers in delivering high-quality, inclusive teaching.
- Provide guidance on adaptive teaching and differentiation.
- Monitor classroom practice to ensure pupils with SEND access an ambitious curriculum.
- Promote evidence-based interventions and teaching strategies.
- Support staff in understanding barriers to learning and effective support approaches.
- Ensure reasonable adjustments are implemented across the school.
Leadership and Management of Staff
- Line manage Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), and SEND support staff.
- Coordinate staff deployment effectively to meet pupil needs.
- Deliver professional development and SEND training.
- Coach and mentor staff to improve inclusive practice.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of SEND support staff.
Multi-Agency Working
- Build positive relationships with parents and carers.
- Act as the school's lead professional for SEND matters.
- Liaise effectively with:
- Educational Psychologists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- CAMHS
- Social Care
- Family Support Services
- Local Authority SEND Teams
- Alternative Provision Providers
- Health Professionals
- Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings and reviews.
- Coordinate support plans involving multiple agencies.
Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare
- Demonstrate extensive experience in safeguarding children and young people.
- Identify safeguarding concerns and vulnerabilities affecting pupils with SEND.
- Contribute effectively to child protection processes and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
- Support vulnerable pupils and families experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, or welfare difficulties.
- Ensure safeguarding considerations are embedded within SEND provision planning.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Prevent Duty
- Online Safety
- Child Protection Procedures
- Contextual Safeguarding
- Safeguarding Pupils with SEND
- Work proactively with external agencies to secure positive outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
Attendance, Behaviour and Inclusion
- Promote excellent attendance and engagement for pupils with SEND.
- Support pupils at risk of exclusion or placement breakdown.
- Develop strategies to improve participation, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
- Work collaboratively with pastoral teams and senior leaders.
- Support reintegration plans and alternative provision arrangements where appropriate.
Record Keeping and Compliance
- Maintain accurate and confidential SEND records.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection requirements.
- Produce reports for senior leaders, governors, Local Authorities, and external agencies.
- Monitor SEND funding and resource allocation.
- Ensure all statutory documentation is completed accurately and on time.
Person SpecificationEssential Qualifications
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) or willingness to achieve within statutory timescales.
- Degree-level qualification.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience working with secondary-aged pupils with SEND.
- Successful experience leading SEND provision within a secondary school, specialist setting, or alternative provision.
- Extensive experience managing EHCP processes and Annual Reviews.
- Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams and external agencies.
- Proven track record of improving outcomes for pupils with SEND.
- Extensive safeguarding experience, including managing complex cases, contributing to child protection processes, attending multi-agency meetings, and supporting vulnerable children and families.
- Experience supporting pupils with SEMH needs and those at risk of exclusion.
- Experience line managing support staff and leading SEND teams.
Essential Knowledge
- SEND Code of Practice (2015).
- Children and Families Act (2014).
- Equality Act (2010).
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
- Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Prevent Duty.
- Child Protection Procedures.
- Safeguarding Children with SEND.
- Understanding of:
- Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
- ADHD
- SEMH
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
- Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
- Physical and Sensory Needs
Essential Skills
- Outstanding leadership and organisational skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to build positive relationships with pupils, families, and professionals.
- Strong report-writing and analytical skills.
- Ability to interpret and use data effectively.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, and pupil wellbeing.
Desirable
- Experience working within Alternative Provision or SEMH settings.
- Experience supporting pupils with complex trauma and attachment needs.
- Additional SEND or safeguarding qualifications.
- Senior leadership experience.
- Experience preparing for Ofsted inspections and Local Authority reviews.
Safeguarding Statement
Everything Education School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, online checks, and all safer recruitment procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
Key Performance Indicators
Success within this role will be evidenced through:
- Improved outcomes and progress for pupils with SEND.
- Effective implementation and review of EHCP provision.
- Positive parental and stakeholder feedback.
- High levels of attendance and engagement amongst SEND pupils.
- Reduced exclusions and improved inclusion outcomes.
- Compliance with all statutory SEND and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Positive inspection and quality assurance outcomes.
Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
