Job Description

special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO)

Main purpose

The SENCO, under the direction of the principal, will:

Determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school

Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual pupils with SEN or a disability

Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic development of SEN policy and provision

Have a strategic overview of provision for pupils with SEN or a disability across the school, monitoring and reviewing the quality of provision

Contribute to school self-evaluation, particularly with respect to provision for pupils with SEN or a disability

Make sure the SEN policy is put into practice and its objectives are reflected in the school improvement plan (SIP)

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and local initiatives that may affect the school's policy and practice

Evaluate whether funding is being used effectively, and suggest changes to make use of funding more effective

Operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of provision

Maintain an accurate SEND register and filling.

Provide guidance to colleagues on teaching pupils with SEN or a disability, and advise on the approved approach to SEN support

Advise on the use of the school's budget and other resources to meet pupils' needs effectively, including staff deployment

Be aware of the provision in the school policies.

Work with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and other external agencies if needed.

Analyse assessment data for pupils with SEN or a disability

Implement and lead intervention groups for pupils with SEN, and evaluate their effectiveness

Add any other duties of particular relevance to our school (ANS).

Support for pupils with SEN or a disability

Identify a pupil's SEN

Co-ordinate provision that meets the pupil's needs, and monitor its effectiveness

Secure relevant services for the pupil

Ensure records are maintained and kept up to date

Review the education, health and care plan (EHCP) with parents or carers and the pupil

Communicate regularly with parents or carers

Ensure if the pupil transfers to another school, all relevant information is conveyed to it, and support a smooth transition for the pupil

Promote the pupil's inclusion in the school community and access to the curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular activities

Work with the designated teacher for looked-after children, where a looked-after pupil has SEN or a disability

Leadership and management

Work with the principal and governors to ensure the school meets its responsibilities under the inclusion policy.

Prepare and review information the governing board is required to publish

Contribute to the school improvement plan and whole-school policy

Identify training needs for staff and how to meet these needs

Lead training for SEN staff

Share procedural information, such as the school's SEN policy

Promote an ethos and culture that supports the school's SEN policy and promotes good outcomes for pupils with SEN or a disability

Lead and manage teaching assistants (TAs) working with pupils with SEN or a disability

Lead staff appraisals and produce appraisal reports

Review staff performance on an ongoing basis

Other areas of responsibility

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The SENCO 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 SENCO will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the [principal]

Full-Time