Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) - Kings Cross

Seva Education is offering an innovative solution to meeting the needs of students with special educational needs and disabilities.

You will be given an exciting opportunity to work as a part of an expanding group of schools, where your energy and experience will be valued as a part of our aim to meet the varied needs of our students. You will enjoy a high degree of job satisfaction as you have the opportunity to apply your skills to working with students in key stage 2, 3 and 4 and further education.

Seva Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers, prohibition from teaching and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

• To assist in the promotion, direction and oversight of high standards of teaching and learning, pupil/ student achievement and progression through effective inclusion for pupils with special educational needs.

• Be consistent in the delivery of all the Seva Education policies and practices.

• Managing, developing and maintaining high-quality SEN provision

• Observing pupils in the classroom, to coach and train colleagues

• Keeping all paperwork including records and policies, up to date and actioned, as appropriate

• Meet with parents to support SEN and pupils/ student healthcare.

• To monitor the quality of SEN support delivered both by teachers and teaching assistants.

• To ensure accurate and timely responses to commissioning partners and to maintain the SEND register of pupils/ students.

• To ensure that awareness of SEND issues is maintained across all the teaching staff.

• Be a role model for pupils/ students through personal presentation and professional conduct.

• Perform particular duties in accordance with school procedures to ensure pupil safety.

• Model a determination to succeed and a positive attitude to your work.

• To lead and support with maintaining Education, Health, Care Plans and implementing the relevant processes in line with the SEND Code of Practice. 

In the context of this job description, pupils with special educational needs are deemed to include:

• Pupils on the School’s Special Educational Needs Register.

• Pupils with identified specific learning difficulties.

• Pupils with identified social,emotional and mental health challenges.

• Pupils with medical needs

• Pupils ‘Looked After’

• Pupils whose first language is other than English.

• Pupils eligible for free school meals.

• Pupils belonging to ethnic minorities.

• Pupils of Romany, Gipsy or Traveller families.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND MAIN TASKS:

Strategic direction and development of SEN Provision in the school (with the support of, and under the direction of the Head of School)

• Deliver timely responses to commissioners to admit suitable pupils/ students to Seva institutions

• Exercise a key role in assisting colleagues with the strategic development of SEN policy / provision;

• Support all staff in understanding the needs of SEN pupils and ensure the objectives to develop SEN are reflected in the school improvement plan;

• Monitor progress of objectives and targets for pupils with SEN from teachers' plans, evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning by work analysis and use these analyses to guide future improvement;

• Analyse and interpret relevant school, local and national data and advise colleagues on the level of resources required to maximise achievement;

• Liaise with staff, parents,external agencies and other schools to coordinate their contribution, provide maximum support and ensure continuity of provision.

TEACHING AND LEARNING:

• support the identification of and disseminate the most effective teaching approaches for pupils with SEN;

• work with colleagues to develop effective ways of bridging barriers to learning through

• assessment of needs

• target setting, including Personalised Learning Plans (PLPS) and Personalised Adaptive Provision Plans (PAPP’s)

• delivering a recording system for progress

• collect and interpret specialist assessment data to inform practice;

• undertake day-to-day co-ordination of SEN pupils' provisions through close liaison with staff, parents and external agencies;

• work with colleagues to ensure all pupils learning is of equal importance and that there are realistic expectations of pupils;

• consider the range of teaching strategies / equipment that could be utilised for pupils requiring specialist provision;

• support with teaching where appropriate.

LEADING AND MANAGING:

• work with leadership colleagues to manage the delivery of admissions processes to ensure consultations are responded to in line with statutory expectations and pupils/ students are accurately placed.

• provide professional guidance to staff to secure good teaching for SEN pupils, through both written guidance and meetings.

• contribute to the appraisal process for identified staff.

• advise on and contribute to the continuing professional development of staff, including at other schools in the business.

• provide regular information to the Head of School, Executive Head and School Governors on the  evaluation of SEN provision and the impact on outcomes.

MONITORING, ASSESSMENT, PLANNING AND TRACKING:

• To assist in the identification of pupils’ Special Educational Needs through observation in the classroom, individual screening and assessment of reports

• To oversee the writing and regular review and updating of all SEND plans

• To liaise with external agencies in regard to particular pupils to ensure that the school is providing appropriate support for pupils and students.

• To liaise with classroom teachers concerning the needs and progress of individual pupils /  students and to provide advice and strategies as appropriate.

• To lead the delivery of Pastoral Support, SaLT, Occupational Therapy, interpreting and disseminating reports and data so that interventions are effectively implemented in the classroom.

• To use data generated by school assessments effectively to inform future pupil progress.

• Leading, planning and attending annual review meetings. 

COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING:

• To write reports for parents on the pupils receiving specific teaching

• To liaise with parents and carers concerning pupil progress and concerns, and concerning updates to the PLPS/PAPPS, and to be proactive in communication about these issues

• To make recommendations to parents concerning the use of external agencies for identifying SEN

• Writing annual review reports in co-operation with therapy and teaching staff. 

• Communicating with external agencies to identify support packages such as CAHMs, Social Care etc. 

• Providing information and supporting the Executive Headteacher with creation of Individual Healthcare Plans.

• Reviewing referral documents to provide input during panel meetings. 

• Providing professional insight for referrals. 

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT:

• To maintain a thorough and up to date knowledge and understanding of the current SEND Code of Practice and of the school’s curriculum and policies

• To participate in INSET provided by the school and where appropriate to lead INSET on SEND issues.

• To ensure that the School’s Health and Safety Policy is followed.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Support annual reviews and attend / chair when necessary.

• Liaise with other school SENCOs as required.

• Complete school visits as part of the referral/consultation process.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS:

Seva Care Group ensures all employees have a responsibility to support the school in its duties by:

• Attending mandatory training on Safeguarding children.

• Being familiar with individual and the School’s requirements under relevant legislation.

• Adhering to all relevant national and local policies, procedures, practice guidance and professional codes (KCSIE).

• Reporting any concerns to the appropriate authority.

Whilst every effort has been taken to explain the duties and responsibilities of the post, certain individual tasks may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake any task of a similar level that is not specified in the job description.