EY Area SENCo

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Annual leave 28-32 days

Flexible working hours

Hybrid & flexible working

Learning & development

Health & wellbeing support

Cycle to work

Electric & hybrid car scheme

Discounts & salary sacrifice

Job summary

Gateshead Council in the United Kingdom is recruiting for a senior role within the 0-5 SEND service to support early years settings and schools in delivering high-quality inclusive education. You will provide expert advice, coach practitioners and enable families to achieve positive outcomes for children with SEND.

The post requires a recognised DfE teaching qualification and ongoing professional development in Early Years and SEND, with strong communication, organisation and ICT skills across

Qualifications

• A recognised DfE teaching qualification, together with evidence of ongoing professional development in Early Years and SEND.
• Significant knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the SEND Code of Practice and statutory requirements relating to education and inclusion.
• Experience of teaching within the Early Years Foundation Stage and working directly with children with SEND.
• Experience of designing, leading and delivering professional development, training or coaching to education professionals.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop effective partnerships across education, health, social care and families.
• Strong organisational skills, resilience and initiative, with the ability to work independently, manage priorities and deliver positive outcomes across a varied workload.
• Confident use of ICT, flexibility to work across a range of locations and occasional out-of-hours commitments, with access to transport and a valid driving licence (or appropriate mobility support).

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice, support and guidance to early years settings, schools, childminders and childcare providers on meeting the needs of children with SEND.
• Support practitioners and Early Years SENCos to implement the SEND Code of Practice and develop high-quality inclusive practice.
• Undertake observational assessments and provide practical recommendations to help settings respond effectively to childrens individual needs.
• Deliver high-quality training and professional development to teachers, practitioners and childcare professionals.
• Develop strong partnerships with families and professionals, promoting effective communication and collaborative approaches to supporting children with SEND.
• Facilitate effective multi-agency working with education, health, social care, Family Hubs and specialist services to ensure coordinated support for children and families.
• Advise on referrals to specialist services and support settings in accessing appropriate intervention and support pathways.
• Monitor children's progress and support successful transitions, admissions and inclusion within educational settings.
• Work closely with Area SENCo colleagues and wider Education, Schools and Inclusion teams to drive continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children.

Skills

Communication

Organisation

Relationship-building

Education

DfE teaching qualification

Continuous professional development in Early Years & SEND

Job description

Fixed Term contracts to 31st March 2029. Salary (£57,297 - £61,679 / £66,050 pro rata to hours worked. There are also 2 full time vacancies - please see our other job opportunities

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives?

If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Champion inclusion and make a lasting difference by supporting early years settings and schools to deliver exceptional SEND provision.

The 0-5 Service is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive through high-quality, inclusive education and early intervention. The Area SENCo team works collaboratively with early years settings, schools, childminders, wrap-around childcare providers, families and multi‑agency partners to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Through advice, training, assessment and partnership working, the team promotes inclusive practice, strengthens professional expertise and helps ensure children with SEND receive the right support at the right time to achieve positive outcomes.

Use your expertise to empower practitioners, strengthen inclusive practice and help every child reach their potential.

What You Will Get To Do

• Provide specialist advice, support and guidance to early years settings, schools, childminders and childcare providers on meeting the needs of children with SEND.
• Support practitioners and Early Years SENCos to implement the SEND Code of Practice and develop high‑quality inclusive practice.
• Undertake observational assessments and provide practical recommendations to help settings respond effectively to childrens individual needs.
• Deliver high-quality training and professional development to teachers, practitioners and childcare professionals.
• Develop strong partnerships with families and professionals, promoting effective communication and collaborative approaches to supporting children with SEND.
• Facilitate effective multi‑agency working with education, health, social care, Family Hubs and specialist services to ensure coordinated support for children and families.
• Advise on referrals to specialist services and support settings in accessing appropriate intervention and support pathways.
• Monitor children's progress and support successful transitions, admissions and inclusion within educational settings.
• Work closely with Area SENCo colleagues and wider Education, Schools and Inclusion teams to drive continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children.

Lead, influence and inspire high‑quality SEND support across Gateshead's early years and education community.

What You Will Bring

• A recognised DfE teaching qualification, together with evidence of ongoing professional development in Early Years and SEND.
• Significant knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the SEND Code of Practice and statutory requirements relating to education and inclusion.
• Experience of teaching within the Early Years Foundation Stage and working directly with children with SEND.
• Experience of designing, leading and delivering professional development, training or coaching to education professionals.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to develop effective partnerships across education, health, social care and families.
• Strong organisational skills, resilience and initiative, with the ability to work independently, manage priorities and deliver positive outcomes across a varied workload.
• Confident use of ICT, flexibility to work across a range of locations and occasional out‑of‑hours commitments, with access to transport and a valid driving licence (or appropriate mobility support).

If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost‑effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high‑volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.