SEND Specialist

Welcome to Ada!

We are the UK’s top-performing National College for Digital Skills, shaping the next generation of digital pioneers. With campuses in central London and Manchester, we offer a high-achieving, positive learning environment where students are highly motivated, have excellent attendance, and demonstrate exemplary behavior—allowing teachers to focus entirely on their subject specialism in disruption free classrooms. At Ada, we believe in breaking barriers and opening doors by connecting our students with the best of problem solvers, creators, and innovators. Through strong engagements with many Industry partners such as Deloitte, King Games, and Bank of America, students and teachers engage in real-world projects that enrich learning and expand career opportunities.

With cutting-edge teaching, top results, and 70% securing first-choice destinations, our graduates thrive at leading firms and universities. Rated Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted (2018, 2023), we’re redefining digital education.

Over the past year, our London Sixth Form has grown significantly, welcoming a more diverse intake, including more young people with additional learning, social, emotional, and mental health needs. Today, our London campus supports approximately 173 Sixth Form students and around 350 apprentices, our broadest intake yet with a small volume of students with high needs and a slightly higher number of students with an additional need including SEMH. As we continue to expand in London and prepare to welcome our first cohort of Sixth Formers to our Manchester campus in September 2025, we remain committed to delivering consistent, high-quality learner services across Ada.

Ada is seeking an experienced SEND Specialist/SENCO to join our team to ensure our SEND processes are effective, compliant, and aligned with statutory requirements. This role is crucial in reviewing, refining, and embedding best practices to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across our Sixth Form and Apprenticeship provision.

Key priorities include:

• Ensuring full compliance with the SEND Code of Practice and other relevant legislation across Sixth form and Apprenticeships across London and Manchester
• Review and refine existing SEND processes, policies, and documentation.
• Establish a robust tracking and monitoring systems for SEND students.
• Ensuring accurate and timely completion of all required paperwork including EHCP reviews, High Needs Funding applications and Exam Access Arrangements
• Developing staff training to build a sustainable, high-quality SEND provision.
• Collaborating with external agencies to ensure effective support for students.

This role is not just about day-to-day management but about ensuring long-term sustainability by building strong foundations for SEND provision at Ada.

Key Responsibilities

Process & Compliance Focus

• Review our current SEND policies, ensuring they align with statutory requirements.
• Implement minor recommendations from positive recent internal audit review of safeguarding
• Implement effective systems for tracking and monitoring SEND students
• Ensure all necessary documentation for EHCPs, learner passports and intervention plans are accurate, up-to-date, and meet requirements
• Work closely with the Exams Officer to ensure timely and accurate Exam Access Arrangements.
• Review current finance processes that secure High Needs Funding from local authorities for current sixth form cohorts and those enrolling in August 2025
• Ensuring High Needs Funding is being allocated effectively to meet students needs and there is a clear tracking of how this is being achieved

SEND Identification & Support

• Review and refine processes for identifying support for students with additional needs during enrolment for both sixth form and Apprenticeship provisions
• Work with the outreach team to ensure students with SEND understand the curriculum and are set up for success.
• Oversee the assessment and planning of interventions across Sixth form and Apprenticeships in both campuses
• Collaborate with pastoral officers and teaching staff to ensure learner needs are being met
• Ensure high-quality teaching and intervention strategies are in place for SEND students.

Training & Development

• Design appropriate training for staff, ensuring they understand their responsibilities in supporting SEND students.
• Provide clear guidance to subject leads on assessing and supporting SEND students throughout the academic year.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop a systematic approach to working with parents and external agencies to ensure students receive the necessary support
• Represent Ada in meetings with external professionals, ensuring clear communication and follow-through on actions.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• SENCO qualification or extensive experience leading SEND provision
• Experience working with KS4 or post-16 students.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and refine SEND processes.
• Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and compliance requirements.
• Excellent digital skills for tracking and reporting on SEND provision.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).
• Experience in school/college leadership.
• Experience working with third-party agencies to enhance SEND provision.
• Experience implementing effective SEND strategies with measurable impact.
• Experience in training and coaching staff in SEND best practices.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong understanding of compliance in SEND provision.
• Ability to assess, plan, and evaluate interventions effectively.
• Excellent data analysis skills, using insights to drive SEND provision improvements.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to influence and negotiate.
• Ability to train and develop staff, ensuring long-term improvements.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on sustainability and best practice.

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested prior to the interview day.

 Equal opportunities 

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact HR@ada.ac.uk

Sponsorship

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

Please note - interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis on receipt of applications and we reserve the right to remove this advert and appoint to this role before the closing date.