If you have a child with SEND, you can expect a SENCo to become an important part of your life
A Special Educational Needs Coordinator ("SENCo") is a qualified teacher whose job it is to support students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilites ("SEND"), ensuring the school implements the correct provision required to fulfil their needs. Information about how the school supports learners with SEN should be available on the school's website under their SEN Policy along with a SEN Information Report. If you have a child or young person with SEND you can expect a SENCo to become an important part of their (and your) school experience.
The responsibilities of a SENCo include overseeing the development of SEN policy, as well as monitoring the progress of children with SEND; taking into account their social and emotional well-being as well as their educational attainment. SENCo's implement the Asses, Plan, Do, Review ("ADPR") cycle known as the Graduated Response and can also call upon the expertise of outside professionals including Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists as well as make referrals into assessment pathways, such as those for Autism Spectrum Condition ("ASC") and Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder ("ADHD"). SENCos should work alongside other school staff (and in particular class teachers) to ensure that Special Educational Provision ("SEP") is integrated into the curriculum, so that students with SEND are given the same priority as other pupils and are able to access and make progress in their education.
One of the most important things a SENCo can do is to embed inclusion within a school. Emphasis should be placed on creating a supportive environment to enable all students thrive; both on a personal and academic level. Alongside the head teacher and members of the Senior Leadership Team ("SLT"), SENCOs should be proactive in developing the school's accessibility, removing unnecessary barriers to education.
Unfortunately, despite the crucial role played by SENCos many of them combine this role with teaching and other responsiblities meaning that they lack the time to fulfil their role effectively. In addition, SENCos are often excluded from SLTs, so that the voice and perspective of students with SEND do not feature in strategic decision making to the extent that they should.
If your child is facing barriers to learning, and/or their educational attainment is not progressing as it should, your first point of call should be their class or form teacher. If this does not result in an improvement, you should escalte your concerns to the SENCo.
At SEND Advocacy, we can support and advise you through the process of securing Special Educational Provision for your child. If you need someone in your corner to help ensure the education your child deserves, contact us today.
Commentaires