SENCO - Widnes

At SWRAC, we empower individuals to thrive through practical and relevant educational programs. Our goal is to equip people with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become resilient, confident, and independent. We aim for them to grow in education, secure employment, or engage in meaningful activities, live healthily, be active and responsible citizens, and ensure their safety.

Location: Widnes, WA8 6DJ

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £35,000 – £38,000 a year

Are you passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of young people with SEND? We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed SENCO to join our friendly team. Based at our Widnes Centre, you will also support our Southport and Bootle Centres, working collaboratively with learners, staff, families and external professionals to ensure every young person receives the support they need to reach their potential.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the SWRAC’s SEN strategy and policy with senior managers
• Make referrals and liaise with professionals outside of SWRAC – this could include psychologists, health and social care providers, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
• Carry out assessments of young people with SEN to identify needs and monitor progress – including observations in the classroom and meetings with tutors and parents.
• Work with classroom tutors, SWRAC senior managers, IQA team, ELSAs, parents, and relevant external agencies to develop, implement and monitor individual support/learning plans.
• Attend and lead on Team Around the Learner meetings to ascertain progress and coordinate interventions.
• Provide advice, guidance and training to tutors and Learning Support Assistants on supporting young people with SEN.
• Support tutors to develop schemes of work and learning programmes for young people with SEN.
• Support tutors to develop and implement effective teaching and behaviour management approaches in the classroom.
• Advise resources for SEN provision.
• Maintain systems for keeping young people’s records, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
• Analyse SWRAC, local and national data and develop appropriate strategies and interventions.
• Keep up to date with national and local policies related to SEN and cascade information to colleagues.
• To facilitate and host annual reviews.
• Conduct provision audits.
• Deliver training to staff during inset days.
• Liaise with the Engagement Team to ensure support needs can be met prior to enrolment.
• Attend SENCO meetings and work towards the SEND Action Plan.
• Write statutory advice for EHC needs assessments and other reports.
• Any other duties as required, relevant to the role.

Qualifications

• NASENCO or NPQSENCO (Desirable)
• QTS
• English and maths at Level 2 or equivalent
• Teaching qualification Level 5 or above

Skills / Competencies

• A strong commitment to raising educational attainment for young people with SEN, including working with learners directly and supporting other staff to do so
• Willingness and ability to develop specialist knowledge and keep up to date with local and national policy and developments
• Be able to secure sufficient internal resources and secure the necessary support from external agencies
• Teamwork skills – to inspire and motivate other teachers, model good practice, and develop a whole college commitment to supporting learners with SEN
• Interpersonal skills – for building relationships with parents, teachers, and external professionals
• Written communication skills – for writing learning and support plans, reports on learner progress, and training and guidance for staff
• Organisation and time-management skills – needed for prioritising and balancing a busy and varied workload
• Empathy and emotional intelligence – in order to recognise and be sensitive to the needs of learners and parents
• Analytical and problem-solving skills – necessary for analysing school, local and national data and developing appropriate strategies and interventions.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of a range of successful teaching.
• Learning and curriculum strategies to meet the needs of all pupils.
• Knowledge of assessment strategies and the use of assessment to inform the next stages.
• A secure understanding and working knowledge of the SEND code of practice
• Understanding of the characteristics of an effective learning environment and the key elements of successful behaviour management
• Successful experience in creating an effective learning environment, and implementing policy and practice, and curriculum for learners.

Experience

• At least three years of teaching experience preferably in post 16
• Experience in effective monitoring and evaluation of teaching

Personal Qualities

• A passion for person-centred learning, especially for learners with complex needs
• Empathy for young people with SEND.
• Commitment to the SWRAC’s Ethos.
• Able to inspire.
• The ability to work with a range of staff at all levels.
• A sense of humour.
• Enthusiastic, honest, reliable.
• A sense of purpose and the ability to take personal initiative.
• A sensitive, flexible, open-minded and responsive attitude to working with others.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong commitment to SWRAC improvement and raising achievement for all.
• Ability to build and maintain good relationships.
• Ability to remain positive and enthusiastic when working under pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Positivity and perseverance.
• Ability to critically evaluate own performance and make any necessary changes to be more effective.

Special Attributes/Requirements

• To be committed to promoting independence in line with preparing for adulthood outcomes of Education/Employment & Careers, Friends, Relationships and Community, Health and Independent Lives
• Prepared to work flexibly to meet work requirements.
• Current driving licence as travel between the centres will be required.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people attending SWRAC.
• Commitment to equal opportunities.

Benefits

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Ability To Commute/relocate

• Widnes WA8 6DJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience

• SEND: 3 years (required)

SWRAC is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment and selection practices will reflect this dedication. All successful candidates will undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, along with other relevant employment screening. We are also committed to ensuring genuine equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activities as an employer and educational provider. Please find our full Safeguarding Policy here.

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Closing date

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

How to apply

After completing your Application Form , please submit it alongside your CV using the contact form below.

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