SENCO

What skills and experience we're looking for

Experience & Knowledge (Essential)

• Has experience working with children aged 2–5, particularly those with a range of SEND needs
• Understands early identification and intervention
• Has working knowledge of statutory SEND processes, including:
• Early Support Plans
• EHCPs

• Has experience making timely referrals to external services
• Demonstrates strong understanding of:
• Child development
• EYFS framework
• Inclusive practice

• Has experience working with:
• Parents/carers
• Multi-professional teams

• Knows effective strategies for inclusion and quality first teaching

Skills & Abilities (Essential)

• Lead and coordinate SEND provision across more than one setting
• Implement and manage the graduated approach (universal, targeted, specialist)
• Assess, monitor, and track progress of children with SEND
• Support and coach staff with practical strategies and adaptations
• Communicate effectively with:
• Staff
• Parents
• External professionals

• Demonstrate strong organisation, time management, and flexibility

Desirable Experience & Skills

Stronger candidates may also:

• Hold the National SENCo Award
• Have training in:
• Early intervention
• Speech and language
• Inclusion strategies

• Have experience:
• Identifying complex SEND early
• Leading CPD or coaching staff

• Be able to:
• Analyse data to inform provision
• Contribute to whole-setting development and policy

Personal Qualities

• Warm, approachable and responsive
• Collaborative across teams and settings
• Reflective and proactive
• Resilient and adaptable
• High expectations of professionalism and practice
• Deep commitment to improving outcomes for children with SEND and families

We are looking for a SENCo who can move beyond coordination into system leadership — someone who can build adult capability, drive early intervention, and ensure consistently high-quality inclusive practice across multiple settings.

What the school offers its staff

What the school offers its staff

• A warm, inclusive and supportive working environment where staff feel valued and part of a close-knit team
• Opportunities to work within a collaborative federation, benefiting from shared expertise, coaching, mentoring and joint professional development
• Access to high-quality CPD and career development across a wider network of schools, nurseries and family services
• The opportunity to work in a setting with a strong reputation for inclusive practice and SEND expertise
• A well-established team committed to reflective practice and continuous improvement
• Leadership that prioritises staff wellbeing and ensures workload is manageable
• The chance to make a meaningful difference to children and families within a highly supportive community
• Opportunities to work alongside external professionals and develop multi-agency practice
• A rich early years environment, including outdoor learning and Forest School provision
• The ability to contribute to, and shape, provision across more than one setting within the partnership

Further details about the role

A job pack can be found here:

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.