SENCo with Teaching Responsibilities

SENCo with Teaching Responsibilities

Location: Bristol

Contract: Permanent

Working Hours: Full time (40 hours a week), Term time only (term times as stipulated by Bristol City Council).

Starting salary: £38,000 per annum

Start date: ASAP (dependent on completion of satisfactory reference and DBS checks)

Who we are:

We support children and young people living in Bristol, South Glos and the surrounding areas, providing engaging play and youth work embedded in communities. We also provide personalised part-time and full-time alternative education environments for children and young people to overcome barriers to engagement and learning.

What we do:

At LPW, we provide safe, emotionally supportive and enriching spaces where children and young people can: build trusted and trauma-informed relationships; grow in confidence and independence; overcome challenges; and have ownership of their learning and future.  

Purpose

To determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school and take responsibility for day-to-day operation of the SEN policy, and co-ordination of specific provision to support individual students with SEN or a disability. The SENCo function provides professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with staff, parents and other agencies. The SENCo will also be expected to fulfil the responsibilities of a Teacher, as set out in the LPW Teacher role description.

The SENCo will be a key member of the school’s middle management team and will contribute strategically to whole-school development, operational decision-making, safeguarding, inclusion and student wellbeing. The post holder will champion a culture of high expectations, relational practice and inclusive education across the school community.

The SENCo will be expected to respond proactively and adaptively to the emerging needs of students throughout the school day, supporting staff to maintain positive outcomes for students including those with complex social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), ADHD, communication difficulties and other additional learning needs. 

The skills and experience that you will bring to this role are:

Knowledge

• Qualified teacher status as required by the SEND Code of Practice;
• National Award for SEN Co-ordination, or a willingness to complete it within 2 years of appointment as required by the SEND Code of Practice;
• Degree or equivalent qualification.

Experience

• Relevant teaching experience;
• Experience of working at a whole-school level;
• Involvement in self-evaluation and development planning;
• Experience of conducting training/leading INSET
• Experience of working collaboratively as part of a leadership or management team;
• Experience of supporting students with complex SEMH needs within a therapeutic or trauma-informed environment;
• Experience of working in partnership with families and multi-agency professionals to achieve positive outcomes for students;
• Experience of leading and supporting staff through change and implementing inclusive practice across a school setting.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and other SEND legislation;
• Understanding of what makes ‘quality first’ teaching, and of effective intervention strategies that can support learners needs and improve the culture of inclusion in the school;
• Ability to plan and evaluate interventions;
• Data analysis skills and the ability to use data to inform provision planning;
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to build effective working relationships;
• Ability to influence and negotiate;
• Good record-keeping skills;
• Ability to remain calm, solution-focused and responsive in a fast-paced school environment;
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to respond flexibly to emerging student needs
• Ability to model relational and restorative approaches when supporting students and staff;
• Ability to contribute strategically to whole-school operational and pastoral decision-making;
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches to supporting students with SEMH needs.

Personal qualities:

• Energy, drive, and enthusiasm.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to support a team culture.
• A sense of humour and positive attitude.
• The ability to use your initiative and be self-driven.
• Effective listening skills.
• The ability to form positive relationships with learners and parents/carers.  

You will have the opportunity to work for a community interest company that has a social mission at its core and drives the way we undertake business.

In addition, we have a range of benefits such as:

• 4% employer contribution to our pension scheme
• travel loans
• childcare vouchers (where applicable)
• cycle to work scheme
• free employee assistance program
• paid-for learning and development opportunities
• clinical supervision with trauma informed therapeutic practitioners.

LPW is a Living Wage and Disability Confident employer.

We are an equal opportunities organisation and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

To apply please complete the recruitment application form explaining your motivation for applying for the post.

Please note that any CVs received without an accompanying recruitment application form will not be considered for interview.

We kindly advise that the advert may close before the listed closing date if sufficient suitable applications are received. We therefore recommend applying at your earliest convenience.