SENDCO – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator

Brooklands College; Weybridge; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A further education college in Weybridge is seeking a full-time SENDCO to oversee the support for students with special educational needs and disabilities. This role involves coordinating with external agencies and managing resources to ensure inclusive education. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of SEND legislation and excellent communication skills. The position is not suitable for home-working and operates within a diverse and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience managing SEND provisions in an educational setting.
• Capacity to develop individual support plans for students.
• Skills in data analysis related to SEND provisions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee support provided to students with SEND.
• Develop and implement SEND strategy and policy.
• Coordinate support and liaise with external agencies.

Skills

Strong understanding of SEND legislation

Excellent communication skills

Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders

Education

Relevant educational qualification

Training in special educational needs

Job description

Job Advert

SENDCO – 37 hours per week 8:30am – 5pm, 52 Weeks per year – £37076.40 (BRK35)

Brooklands Technical College is a further education college supporting young people and adults to take the next steps on their career path. We are an inclusive centre for lifelong learning, equipping our learners with the professional behaviours, skills and values that they will need for their careers.

If you're passionate about education and want to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

We are an established provider of good quality college and school courses for young people and adults with learning difficulties and emotional/behavioural difficulties. Our full‑time courses are designed with our learners in mind, using a range of qualifications. Our school links programme offers learners the opportunity to try a range of vocational courses and aids transition into college.

The SENDCO will be responsible for overseeing and managing the support provided to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Their primary purpose is to ensure these students can access the curriculum and achieve their full potential. This will involve a range of duties, including identifying students' needs, coordinating with external agencies and support staff, creating and implementing individual support plans, and ensuring the college complies with relevant SEND legislation and policies.

The SENDCO acts as a key point of contact for students, parents, and staff, advocating for students' needs and promoting a culture of inclusivity and accessibility within the college.

The SENDCO will line manage a team of staff focused on high needs support. This will include management of the Neuropod Mentors and overseeing the development of the provision as it grows, moving in to the new Vickers Building, part of the exciting college new buildings development. They will line manage the Exams access Arrangements Coordinator to ensure appropriate support for all learners during assessment. The SENDCO will work with college curriculum and support services teams to enable the support and resulting retention and achievement of SEND learners.

This job role is full‑time 40 weeks, based at Weybridge site but travelling to Ashford as needed, it is not suitable for home‑working.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement SEND Strategy and Policy: Be responsible for creating and overseeing the implementation of the college's overall strategy and policies related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This includes ensuring the college's practices are in line with national and local policies and cascading updates.
• Identify and Assess Student Needs: This involves a four‑part cycle of assessment to identify students with SEN. The SENDCO carries out observations, meets with students, teachers, and parents/guardians to understand individual needs, and classifies different learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Provide Equity and Individualised Support: To ensure that each student with SEND receives equitable support tailored to their specific, individual needs. This will include creating EHCP plans with social and academic targets.
• Coordinate Support and Liaise with Agencies: To work collaboratively with a wide range of individuals and external agencies, including teachers, college leadership, parents, and external stakeholders like psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists to provide comprehensive support.
• Support and Train College Staff: A key duty is to provide advice, guidance, and training to classroom teachers on how to effectively support students with SEN.
• Develop and Manage Resources: The SENDCO is responsible for developing learning resources to aid in students' development, which may include sensory and visual resources to improve fine motor skills. They also manage and advise on the college's budget and resources allocated for SEN provision.
• Analyse Data and Develop Interventions: To involve looking at school, local, and national data related to students with SEND to identify trends and needs. Based on this analysis, the SENDCO will develop appropriate strategies and interventions to address these needs.

Brooklands Technical College is proud to be an equal opportunities employee and is committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace and are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity, age, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics. Brooklands Technical College is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches as part of due diligence checks. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK, we do not sponsor work permits. Work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK. Pre‑employment checks will be carried out, in line with KCSIE, for all those who are shortlisted and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and 2 satisfactory references. Recruitment agencies who submit unsolicited CVs to any partner or employee at Brooklands Technical College, have no authority to enter an arrangement. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. Please note that previous applicants need not apply. Recruitment agencies engaging with Brooklands Technical College will be on our PSL.