JOB DESCRIPTION
Main purpose
The SENDCO, under the direction of the headteacher, will:
1. Determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEND) policy and provision in the school.
2. Be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEND.
3. Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents, and other agencies.
Duties and responsibilities
Strategic development of SEND policy and provision
1. Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEND or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision.
2. Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEND or a disability.
3. Ensure the SEND policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the school improvement plan (SIP).
4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the school’s policy and practice.
Teaching and Learning
1. Plan and teach well-structured lessons to assigned classes, following the school’s plans, curriculum, and schemes of work.
2. Assess, monitor, record, and report on the learning needs, progress, and achievements of assigned pupils, making accurate and productive use of assessment.
3. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of pupils.
4. Set high expectations that inspire, motivate, and challenge pupils.
5. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils.
6. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge.
7. Participate in arrangements for preparing pupils for external tests.
Operation of the SEND policy and co-ordination of provision
1. Maintain an accurate SEND register and provision map.
2. Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with SEND or a disability, and advise on the graduated approach to SEND support.
3. Advise on the use of the school’s budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively, including staff deployment.
4. Be aware of the provision in the local offer.
5. Work with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies.
6. Be a key point of contact for external agencies, especially the local authority (LA).
7. Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEND or a disability.
8. Implement and lead intervention groups for pupils with SEND, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Support for pupils with SEND or a disability
1. Identify a pupil’s SEND.
2. Co-ordinate provision that meets the pupil’s needs, and monitor its effectiveness.
3. Secure relevant services for the pupil.
4. Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date.
5. Review the education, health, and care plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the pupil.
6. Communicate regularly with parents/carers.
7. Ensure if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to that school, and support a smooth transition for the pupil.
8. Promote the pupil’s inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities, and extra-curricular activities.
9. Work with the designated teacher for looked-after children (LAC), where a looked-after pupil has SEND or a disability.
Leadership and management
1. Work with the headteacher and governors to ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 in terms of reasonable adjustments and access arrangements.
2. Prepare and review information the governing board is required to publish.
3. Contribute to the SIP and whole-school policy.
4. Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs.
5. Lead INSET for staff.
6. Promote an ethos and culture that supports the school’s SEND policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with SEND or a disability.
7. Lead staff appraisals and produce appraisal reports.
Safeguarding
1. Liaise and collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) on matters of safeguarding and welfare for pupils with SEND.
2. Remain alert to the fact that pupils with SEND may be more vulnerable to safeguarding challenges.
Other Responsibilities
1. Conduct annual reviews and collate evidence to support the review of students' EHCPs.
2. Support careers development and post-16 options for our SEND students.
3. Deliver engaging and interactive lessons for key stage 3 and 4, as part of a teaching responsibility.
The SENDCO will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.
Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the SENDCO will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications and training
1. Qualified teacher status.
2. National Award for SEND Co-ordination, or a willingness to complete it within 3 years of appointment.
3. Degree.
Experience
1. Experience of working at a whole-school level.
2. Involvement in self-evaluation and development planning.
3. Experience of conducting training/leading INSET.
4. Experience of working within the SEND field.
Skills and knowledge
1. Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
2. Understanding of what makes ‘quality first’ teaching, and of effective intervention strategies.
3. Ability to plan and evaluate interventions.
4. Data analysis skills and the ability to use data to inform provision planning.
5. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
6. Ability to build effective working relationships.
7. Ability to influence and negotiate.
8. Good record-keeping skills.
Personal qualities
1. Commitment to getting the best outcomes for pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school.
2. Commitment to equal opportunities and securing good outcomes for pupils with SEND or a disability.
3. Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
4. Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times.
5. Commitment to safeguarding and equality.
6. Understanding of the flexibility of SEND leadership and being flexible and adaptive in your approach.
SAFER RECRUITMENT STATEMENT
Impact North West Schools (INWS) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its school. INWS complies with the statutory legislative requirements and guidance that seeks to protect children including ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance’. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.
Safer Recruitment
Job descriptions and person specifications make reference to safeguarding and child protection and all posts are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service certificate (DBS). All advertisements include our safeguarding statement and commitment.
Application Stage
All applicants are scrutinised to verify identity and academic or vocational qualifications.
Professional references are requested using our standard proforma for shortlisted candidates.
References must cover a period of the last 5 years of employment. As a minimum these should be from the two most recent employers. References are checked against previous employment history and gaps in employment.
Professional references must be obtained from professional email addresses.
The application form requires applicants to complete a disclosure of any criminal convictions.
Shortlisting
Only those candidates meeting the criteria outlined in the person specification will be shortlisted.
Interview
Shortlisted candidates will take part in an in-depth interview and selection process.
Candidates will be asked to address any discrepancies, anomalies, or gaps in employment in their application form and this includes their employment history.
Candidates at the end of their interview will be reminded of their responsibility to disclose criminal convictions that are subject to DBS check if they have not already done so on the application.
Appointment
Disclosure and Barring Service and other pre-employment compliance checks.
An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate (DBS) will be required for all appointed posts.
Keeping Children Safe in Education declaration.
Further identity checks to determine you are who you say you are.
Inclusion on our Single Central Record (SCR).
Prohibition checks for appropriate applicants.
Proof of right to work in the UK must also be provided.
Probation
All new staff will be subject to the INWS probation procedure for a period of six months.
The probation period is to enable the assessment of an employee’s suitability for the job for which they have been employed which includes the monitor and review of the performance of new staff in relation to duties, skills, qualifications, and experience outlined in the job description and person specification.
This will also include an employee’s suitability to work with children and young people and their commitment to safeguarding and child protection.
Equal Opportunities
INWS recognises the value of, and seeks to achieve, a diverse workforce which includes people from all backgrounds.
INWS takes positive steps to create an employment culture in which people feel confident of being treated with fairness, dignity, and tolerance irrespective of their individual differences.
This commitment extends beyond the relationship between and conduct of employees and potential employees, to the whole community.
INWS is committed to the elimination of unlawful discrimination and to the promotion of good relations between all.
General Data Protection Regulation
INWS is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected.
By signing a contract of employment you will agree for INWS, and/or agents appointed by the Trust, to process your personal data, including “sensitive personal data” as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for the purposes of the operation, management, security, and/or administration, as well as complying with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.
The information you provide (except Equality Monitoring Information) may be shared with partner organisations that provide services to INWS.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Discounted or free food
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 17/02/2025
Reference ID: Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCO) With Teaching Responsibilities
Expected start date: 14/04/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr