We are looking for a SENCO, Full-Time (Maternity Cover up to 18 months) to join our friendly team in our Bournemouth Centre.
Job Description:
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Develop and oversee the implementation of the SWRAC’s SEN strategy and policy with senior managers
- Make referrals and liaise with professionals outside of SWRAC - this could include psychologists, health and social care providers, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
- Carry out assessments of young people with SEN to identify needs and monitor progress - including observations in the classroom and meetings with tutors and parents.
- Work with classroom tutors, SWRAC senior managers, IQA team, ELSAs, parents, and relevant external agencies to develop, implement and monitor individual support/learning plans.
- Attend and lead on Team Around the Learner meetings to ascertain progress and coordinate interventions.
- Provide advice, guidance and training to tutors and Learning Support Assistants on supporting young people with SEN.
- Support tutors to develop schemes of work and learning programmes for young people with SEN.
- Support tutors to develop and implement effective teaching and behaviour management approaches in the classroom.
- Advise resources for SEN provision.
- Maintain systems for keeping young people’s records, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
- Analyse SWRAC, local and national data and develop appropriate strategies and interventions.
- Keep up to date with national and local policies related to SEN and cascade information to colleagues.
- To facilitate and host annual reviews.
- Conduct provision audits.
- Deliver training to staff during inset days.
- Liaise with the Engagement Team to ensure support needs can be met prior to enrolment.
- Attend SENCO meetings and work towards the SEND Action Plan.
- Write statutory advice for EHC needs assessments and other reports.
- Any other duties as required, relevant to the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Essential
- NASENCO or NPQSENCO
- QTS
- English and maths at Level 2 or equivalent
- Teaching qualification Level 5 or above
- Skills / Competencies
- A strong commitment to raising educational attainment for young people with SEN, including working with learners directly and supporting other staff to do so
- Willingness and ability to develop specialist knowledge and keep up to date with local and national policy and developments
- Be able to secure sufficient internal resources and secure the necessary support from external agencies
- Teamwork skills – to inspire and motivate other teachers, model good practice, and develop a whole college commitment to supporting learners with SEN
- Interpersonal skills – for building relationships with parents, teachers, and external professionals
- Written communication skills – for writing learning and support plans, reports on learner progress, and training and guidance for staff
- Organisation and time-management skills – needed for prioritising and balancing a busy and varied workload
- Empathy and emotional intelligence – in order to recognise and be sensitive to the needs of learners and parents
- Analytical and problem-solving skills – necessary for analysing school, local and national data and developing appropriate strategies and interventions.
- Knowledge
- Knowledge and experience of a range of successful teaching.
- Learning and curriculum strategies to meet the needs of all pupils.
- Knowledge of assessment strategies and the use of assessment to inform the next stages.
- A secure understanding and working knowledge of the SEND code of practice
- Understanding of the characteristics of an effective learning environment and the key elements of successful behaviour management
- Successful experience in creating an effective learning environment, and implementing policy and practice, and curriculum for learners.
Experience
- At least three years of teaching experience preferably in post 16
- Experience in effective monitoring and evaluation of teaching
Personal Qualities
- A passion for person-centred learning, especially for learners with complex needs
- Empathy for young people with SEND.
- Commitment to the SWRAC’s Ethos.
- Able to inspire.
- The ability to work with a range of staff at all levels.
- A sense of humour.
- Enthusiastic, honest, reliable.
- A sense of purpose and the ability to take personal initiative.
- A sensitive, flexible, open-minded and responsive attitude to working with others.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Strong commitment to SWRAC improvement and raising achievement for all.
- Ability to build and maintain good relationships.
- Ability to remain positive and enthusiastic when working under pressure.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Effective communication skills.
- Positivity and perseverance.
- Ability to critically evaluate own performance and make any necessary changes to be more effective.
Special Attributes/Requirements
- To be committed to promoting independence in line with preparing for adulthood outcomes of Education/Employment & Careers, Friends, Relationships and Community, Health and Independent Lives
- Prepared to work flexibly to meet work requirements.
- Current driving licence.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people attending SWRAC.
- Commitment to equal opportunities.