SENCo

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title: SENCo

Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2DZ

Salary:  £38,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:  40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a SENCo to join our close-knit team at Underley Garden School, part of Options Autism.

About the role

As a SENCo you will work with the Headteacher and therapy team to determine the strategic development of the SEND policy.

The SENCo will provide professional guidance to colleagues and liaise and work with staff, parents, and other agencies to make sure that pupils with SEN receive appropriate support and high-quality teaching.

Advising on the graduated approach, to providing SEN support and differentiated teaching methods appropriate for individual pupils, is another key aspect of the SENCo role.

Supporting pupils with complex communication needs, autism and associated learning and emotional needs is important and rewarding work, and you will benefit from the tremendous support offered by our hugely experienced teams. As you help our pupils achieve real and significant progress, you will enjoy having a direct, positive impact on their developing lives.

Who we are looking for

We are looking to welcome an outstanding, innovative and determined SENCo to be responsible for the strategic leadership development of Special Education Needs provision with the tenacity to turn ideas into reality. 

You would be an integral part of the Senior Team and, working with the SLT, would help to provide a high level of strategic, managerial and operational direction for the school, particularly in relation to the Quality of Education and will have the opportunity to impact significantly on the future direction and outcomes of the school.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate excellent management, inter-personal and organisational skills with an ability to support teams in working together, showing commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and accountability for all.

Main Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities regarding all students with an EHCP
• Chair EHCP Review Meetings or oversee the management of the meetings
• Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND Code of Practice
• Implement and maintain the SEN policy in line with current and changing regulations and standards.
• Support teaching staff to participate in and complete PEPs (Designated Teacher)
• Work with the Clinical Lead to ensure young people receive the appropriate clinical provision either as listed in their EHCP or on an emerging need basis.
• Ensure EHCP review meeting invites are sent to all relevant parties in good time (with support from the SENCO Assistant)
• Ensure paperwork is completed for EHCP reviews
• Monitoring progress towards EHCP outcomes
• Oversee and monitor the quality of EHCPs and other support plans and maintain details for use in meetings.

About Us

Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.

Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.

At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care.

Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

Additional School Benefits 

• Birthday Chocolates
• Gift Voucher at Christmas
• BUPA Wellbeing Health Expenses including Employee Assistance Programme and Anytime Healthline
• Team Building Days
• Attendance Incentive

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit 

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