At a Glance
- Tasks: Support secondary pupils with speech and language needs and train staff across schools.
- Company: Join Coventry's innovative SEND Support Service, making a real difference in education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time only role, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible, supportive environment with guaranteed interviews for underrepresented groups.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that empowers students and promotes inclusivity.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEN and a passion for supporting diverse learners.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 43000 £ per year.
The following content displays a map of the job's location - President Kennedy and educational settings across the City.
Working Hours: 25
Location: President Kennedy and educational settings across the City
Closing Date: 04/06/2026
Job Category: Special Educational Needs
Organisation: CCC-Corporate
Service Area: Our Values
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our Values are:
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
The Complex Communication Team is part of Coventry’s SEND Support Service. We are a traded service and are widely respected in Coventry schools. We are specialist teachers who work closely with pupils, their families and our colleagues in education, health and care to improve outcomes for children and young people with autism and/or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). In addition, we staff the Enhanced Resource Provision for SLCN at President Kennedy secondary school.
We offer a wide variety of services including informal specialist assessment; lesson observations and advice; one to one work with students; meetings with parents; and bespoke training for settings. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.
What is the job role?
This is an exciting, hybrid role based in the ERP for two days a week and delivering outreach and training in schools across the city for three days. It will involve:
- Providing direct speech and language support to secondary pupils in the ERP at President Kennedy School.
- Providing support, advice and training in primary and secondary schools across the city to enable them better to meet the needs of their pupils with SLCN.
- Planning one-to-one and group interventions for pupils with SLCN.
- Writing a variety of reports for schools and parents that need to be both professional and accessible.
- Supporting the Team Lead and Assistant Team Leads in developing and rolling out the SLCN outreach offer for the city.
This is a term-time-only role, so you will not be entitled to annual or flexi leave. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?
You will have experience of working with children and young people with a range of SEN and a desire to share good practice. You have an in-depth knowledge of language development and use your enthusiasm to engage even the most reluctant learners. You enjoy training others and developing staff expertise in supporting children with SLCN.
You are confident to positively manage distressed behaviour and can look beneath the behaviour to see what the child or young person is trying to communicate. You understand the important role that parents play and work in partnership with them to ensure the best outcomes for their child.
No two days are the same: you will need to be flexible, sensitive and able to think on your feet. Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive attitude are essential.
When writing your personal statement, you will need to cover all aspects of the person specification, with particular regard to the following:
- An in-depth knowledge of strategies to support children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) within a mainstream school environment so that they can flourish.
- A commitment to working in partnership with pupils and parents: a sensitive, respectful approach and the desire to use pupil and parent voice to shape our service.
- The ability to put others at ease, gain trust and build relationships in a short space of time.
- A positive, can-do attitude; a calm, flexible approach and a willingness to see the best in people.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
Interview date(s)
Classroom observation on 10/11 June, followed by an interview on 16 June 2026. For a January 2027 start, or sooner if possible.
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.
Specialist Teacher (SLCN) in London employer: Coventry City Council
As a Specialist Teacher (SLCN) with Coventry City Council, you will join a dynamic and inclusive team dedicated to improving outcomes for children with speech, language, and communication needs. Our commitment to diversity and employee development fosters a supportive work culture where your expertise is valued, and you can make a meaningful impact in the community. With opportunities for professional growth and a focus on collaboration, working in Coventry offers a rewarding experience in a vibrant city known for its innovative spirit.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Teacher (SLCN) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in education and special needs. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people from the field. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in action! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your work with children with SLCN. Include lesson plans, assessments, or even videos of your teaching. This will give potential employers a real taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation's values and think about how your experience aligns with them. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've supported children with SLCN and how you engage with parents and colleagues.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Don’t forget to highlight your commitment to diversity and inclusion in your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Teacher (SLCN) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about working with children with SLCN.
Tailor Your Statement:Make sure to align your personal statement with the job description. Highlight your in-depth knowledge of strategies for supporting children with SLCN and how you’ve successfully worked with pupils and parents in the past.
Showcase Your Skills:Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in managing behaviour and building relationships. We love hearing about how you've positively impacted students and collaborated with families to achieve the best outcomes.
Check Your Work:Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough proofread. Typos and errors can distract from your message, so let’s make sure everything is polished and professional. And remember, apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Council
✨Know Your SLCN Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of speech, language, and communication needs. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in the past to support children with SLCN, as well as how you can apply these in a mainstream school environment.
✨Show Your Passion for Inclusion
Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion during the interview. Share examples of how you've worked with diverse groups and how you plan to engage with parents and pupils to ensure everyone feels valued and heard.
✨Prepare for Classroom Observations
Since there will be a classroom observation, think about how you can showcase your teaching style and ability to manage behaviour positively. Plan a short lesson or activity that highlights your skills in engaging reluctant learners and building trust quickly.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Highlight your experience working collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and other professionals. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the Complex Communication Team and support the outreach offer across the city.
