Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a SENCO. The SENCO will lead and manage the provision of support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), ensuring that all children with additional needs receive high-quality support to help them achieve their full potential. The role involves excellent communication skills, strategic development, and close collaboration with staff, parents, and external agencies.
Duties
* Take the lead role of SENCO, ensuring all practitioners understand their responsibilities to children with SEN, including in-class support, interventions, and access arrangements.
* Oversee the identification of pupils with SEND, ensuring early intervention and accurate assessment of needs.
* Ensure the nursery is inclusive and accessible for all children.
* Develop and implement the nursery's SEND policy in line with national legislation and best practice. Ensure this policy is updated regularly inline with current legislation.
* Work closely with children, colleagues, parents, and other professionals.
* Develop and implement individual Education plans (IEPS), support plans, behaviour plans and other relevant documentation, setting clear, achievable targets.
* Use the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review (learning and development plans and next steps) to meet the outcomes identified for the child.
* Build strong, positive relationships with families, ensuring they are actively involved throughout, keeping them informed and involved in their child's progress and support.
* To work with parents and manager to identify children eligible for all funding Ie: Inclusion funding, Higher Needs Funding, DAF (Disability Access Fund) and identify resources to be purchased with the funding to best support the child's needs.
* Ensure all SEND paperwork is up to date, stored in an organised manner and maintained accurately and confidentially.
* Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of SEND provision and report to senior leaders and governors.
* Ensure that appropriate support and interventions are in place and reviewed regularly.
* Act as the main point of contact for external professionals, such as health visitors, speech and language therapists, and local authority SEND teams.
* Attend and contribute to relevant meetings, including Early Help and EHCP reviews.
Skills and Attributes:
* Childcare qualification level 3 or above is essential
* Organised, with excellent planning and time management skills
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Committed to own personal development and CPD planning
* Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills
* Reliable
* Ability to work within and have commitment to the nursery's ethos and values
* SENCO qualification desirable
* Experience of working with children aged birth to 5 years
* Some experience of working with Children with additional needs
* Knowledge of child development and safeguarding children is essential
* Experience with the SEN code of practice is desirable
* Experience writing applications for EHCP's (Educational Health and Care Plan) is desirable
If you believe you have the right skills, even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications, and you're motivated and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply. We're committed to supporting the right candidate with training and development.
Wattisham Airfield Childcare Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and references.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From £12.56 per hour
Expected hours: 20 per week
Benefits:
* Childcare
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person