Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO)

Compass Community Schools; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Training opportunities

Small class sizes with TA support

Flexible pension

Wellbeing services

Salary sacrifice schemes

Job summary

Compass Community Schools is seeking a SENCO who leads teaching and learning across multiple sites with a child-centred approach. The role requires QTS and a SENCo qualification (or commitment to obtain one within 2 years).

You will engage with parents, professionals and LA teams to support students with SEMH and SEND. The successful candidate will be hands-on, capable of crisis-management and experienced in safeguarding and annual EHCP reviews, contributing to an expanding, community-focused

Qualifications

• QTS holder required.
• SENCo qualification or willingness to qualify within 2 years.
• Proven record of good or outstanding teaching.
• Excellent, efficient and emotionally intelligent communication.
• Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience of crisis-management and supporting SEMH needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead teaching and learning support across all sites.
• Observe children in class and leisure to provide feedback and advice.
• Manage Annual Reviews of EHCPs and related assessments.
• Collaborate with parents, professionals and LA teams.
• Be hands-on, solution-focused and child-centred in all decisions.

Skills

QTS

SENCo qualification

Experience as SENCO

Effective communication

SEND Code of Practice knowledge

Education

NASENCo qualification (PGCiPP) or equivalent

Job description

Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role

The SENCO role sits squarely in our regional SLT and, as such, we are looking for a practitioner who shares our vision and can embody our ethos in every decision they make and every conversation they have, be that with students, parents or professionals.

The staffing structure around our family of schools means that SENCOs are well supported, allowing them to focus on what is really important. Regional Executive Head Teachers oversee the region and will support decision making and problem solving, and every school has its own Head Teacher.

Admin and compliance teams keep things running smoothly, a specialist Head of Teaching Learning and Curriculum helps to drive the quality of education and you will also get to work with a broader team of SENCOs that operate in other regions across the country.

The SENCo will lead the support of effective teaching and learning across all sites, aiding children to overcome a multitude of barriers to education and a-typical learning journeys. SENCos in our settings need to be hands‑on, solution focussed and child‑centred – observing children in class and at leisure to provide feedback, support and advice to those working with them. They will manage Annual Reviews of EHCPs as well as assessments and applications across a range of LA teams.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

• Hold an appropriate SENCo Qualification such as PGCiPP NASENCo or similar OR have experience in a SENCO role and be willing to undertake qualification within 2 years of taking up post.
• A proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice.
• An excellent, efficient and emotionally intelligent communicator.
• Sound working knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
• A strong desire to work inclusively within an emotionally literate environment, supporting children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
• Experience of crisis‑management/managing challenging behaviours and working with children with SEMH difficulties.
• The ambition to progress professionally within an expanding, child‑centred national organisation.
• Experience of effective working with hard‑to‑reach or disengaged families.

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.,

Compass is an equal‑opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.

Competitive salary

• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating‑out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services(previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use.

All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.