Assistant SENDCo

Start date: As soon as possible
Full time, term time only (plus 5 x inset days)
Point 26-28 £33,677.69 - £35,369.01 Actual salary
(FTE £38,510-£40,444)

Are you passionate about inclusion and determined to make a difference to children and young people with additional needs? We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and highly organised Assistant SENDCO to join our dedicated inclusion team.

***Part-time or job share could be considered for the right candidate.***

Could This Be You?

You might currently be:
•  A teacher looking for your next challenge
•  A pastoral or inclusion professional
•  A social-care professional
•  An experienced member of a school support team

Whatever your current role, we are looking for someone who can build trusting relationships, think creatively, advocate for children and work collaboratively with others to find solutions.

Staff members at Balcarras School receive priority for admissions for their children for Year 7 entry. We believe this is a special benefit that reflects the long-term relationships we build with our staff and the wider school community. If this is something that interests you then please speak to us or view our admissions policy on the Balcarras School website 

Application

Further information including a job description can be found in the Applicant Pack on the Balcarras Trust by clicking on Apply Now.

To apply, please complete an application form and send completed application forms to the email address to the right of this advert. For further information about the post, please contact the school at the same email address.

The Balcarras Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This role will involve regulated activity with children. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Please also read the Recruitment Selection and Disclosure Policy within “How to apply” which includes our policy on recruiting ex-offenders. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and receipt of two satisfactory references.

Job description:

JOB TITLE:  Assistant SENDCo
HOURS:   Full time, term time only (plus 5 x inset days)
RESPONSIBLE TO:  SENDCo
GRADE:   Point 26-28 £33,677.69 - £35,369.01 Actual salary FTE £38,510-£40,444

MAIN PURPOSE:

The Assistant SENDCo works closely with the SENDCo to support the effective coordination, implementation and evaluation of provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The role contributes to ensuring that pupils with SEND are identified early, supported appropriately, and enabled to make good progress academically, socially and emotionally.
The postholder will support inclusive practice across the school by working collaboratively with teaching staff, support staff, parents/carers and external agencies. This will also include helping to ensure statutory requirements are met and that the school’s SEND provision reflects best practice and the SEND Code of Practice.
Please note, 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 Assistant SENDCo will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or SEND Line Manager.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Assistant SENDCO, you will work alongside the SENDCO to support the strategic and operational leadership of SEND provision across the school.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the SENDCO in the day-to-day coordination and development of SEND provision, including the daily deployment of teaching assistants and liaising with the exams team to organise access arrangements.
• Helping to ensure the school's SEND policy, procedures and provision are effectively implemented including ensuring accurate record keeping on provision map and pupil passports.
• Working closely with teachers and support staff to identify pupils' needs, ensuring appropriate support and reasonable adjustments are in place, noting them on the individual pupil passport for each child on the SEND register.
• Supporting the monitoring, assessment and review of pupils with SEND using the Gloucestershire Graduated Pathway of ‘assess, plan, do, review’, including attending relevant team around the child meetings and writing My Plans as part of this process.
• Contributing to the development and review of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), pupil passports and other SEND administration relating to ensuring children have the support outlined on the plans.
• Liaising effectively with parents and carers, ensuring that communication is supportive, professional and solution-focused, including attending parents’ evenings, responding to parent emails and new SEND referrals.
• Working collaboratively with external professionals and agencies involved in supporting pupils and completing relevant documentation associated with this process.
• Contributing to staff training and supporting staff with advice, guidance and strategies to meet a range of additional needs, including working in collaboration with the SENDCo to plan and facilitate the annual department INSET.
• Working collaboratively with the SENDCo to promote an inclusive culture where every pupil is valued and supported including attending weekly meetings and deputising when required.
• Support relevant school staff throughout Year 6 transition including primary including attending primary EHCP annual review meetings, school visits, parent meetings and all associated paperwork.

Qualifications & Training

Essential:

•  Good standard of GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and Maths
•  Evidence of relevant CPD related to SEND

Desirable:

•  Additional qualifications in SEND or inclusion (e.g. autism, SEMH, dyslexia)

Experience

Essential:

•  Experience of working with students with Special Educational Needs and   Disabilities (SEND) in a secondary school setting
•  Experience supporting differentiated teaching and inclusive classroom practice
•  Experience working with a range of needs (e.g. ASD, ADHD, SpLD, SEMH)
•  Experience liaising with staff, parents/carers, and external agencies

Desirable:

•  Experience assisting in coordinating SEND provision or interventions
•  Experience of EHCP processes, reviews and paperwork
•  Experience using SEND management systems (e.g. Provision Map, Bromcom)

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential:

•  Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice (2015)
•  Understanding of statutory requirements for SEND in schools
•  Knowledge of strategies to support students with barriers to learning
•  Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures
•  Awareness of inclusive teaching strategies and adaptive practice

Desirable:

•  Knowledge of exam access arrangements
•  Familiarity with current research and best practice in SEND
•  Understanding of transition processes (KS2–KS3 and post-16)

Skills & Abilities

Essential:

•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
•  Ability to work collaboratively with teaching staff and support staff
•  Strong organisational and administrative skills
•  Ability to analyse data and track progress of SEND students
•  Ability to support the planning and delivery of interventions
•  Ability to build positive relationships with students and families
•  High level of written skills for reports and documentation

Desirable:

•  Confidence in delivering training or guidance to teaching assistants and teachers
•  Ability to contribute to whole-school SEND strategy

Personal Qualities

Essential:

•  Commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities
•  Empathy, patience, and resilience
•  Professional integrity and confidentiality
•  Ability to work proactively and use initiative
•  Flexible, adaptable approach to work

Desirable:

•  Passion for improving outcomes for SEND learners
•  Reflective practitioner with commitment to continuous improvement

Other Requirements

•  Commitment to safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children and young   people
•  Willingness to participate in school events, meetings, and training
•  Ability to work within school policies and procedures