Head of SEN

PURPOSE OF THE POST: The main purpose of the post is to ensure that support for learners with SEND, and those with Low needs leads to success for individual students either in terms of development of independence, life skills, qualifications, completion of course or job outcomes. To manage the Learning Support staff and manage the SEND code of practice requirements, particularly the EHCP and High Needs requirements. Knowledge of statutory responsibilities for SEND students alongside the Code of Practice is essential. This role will also include working with the Head of Departments and management across the business to ensure all learners receive the same support. MAIN SCOPE OF POST: * Working with the Director for Inclusive Learning Support and with the Assistant Director for Foundation – Quality and Funding – to develop and manage SEND provision in line with our strategic objectives across the business * To manage a team in the delivery of Learning Support for SEND learners and to plan, manage and develop the learning support provision for SEND learners. * To manage students with EHCPs. Including administration, application, enrolment, provision of support and budgetary needs for students with EHCPs including High Needs students * To manage a team of staff who provide support for deaf or hard-of-hearing students * To assist the Head of School and Director to manage the additional support funding claim across the business and externally provided from local authorities and represent the business as the SENCO. DUTIES PERSONALLY PERFORMED: To take a leading role in the development of SEND provision within the business and for all students. To provide guidance for the SEND policy and strategy. To create and maintain a register of SEND learners through working closely with local authorities and the EHCP coordinators To work with Head of School and Director to integrate SEND provision within the curriculum This role may allow for delivery of teaching to SEND learners (either 1-1 or class based) eg for cover purposes. This is to be agreed with Head of school in line with demands of the role. To monitor the quality and success of SEND provision and maintain high standards in teaching, learning and assessment through observation of the staff in lessons and sharing best practice. To liaise with the Equality & Diversity lead to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are identified and met and to help identify and implement the most appropriate intervention work for learners and record this on detailed learner profiles Working closely with the Learning Support team and curriculum staff undertake day-to-day operational management of cross business learning support for SEND learners and other learning difficulties and disabilities in line with our Learning Support Policy. Through line management of the PMLD and SEND Coordinators coordinate the work of a team of LSAs/LCSAs in all curriculum areas ensuring high quality, effective support. Through line management of the EHCP coordinators, Learning Support Lecturers and learning support Administrator co-ordinate and carry out the annual reviews for EHCP students in accordance with the code of practice. Through line management of the Exams Access Arrangement Officer and the Special Assessors take an overview of the key support needed to support SEND learners and those with Low needs who require exam access arrangements. Through line management of the team ensure that the EHCP Consultation process is actioned and statutory deadlines are adhered to as part of the process. This includes taking an overview of the spreadsheet/database with other ILS Heads as we work together. To liaise with Heads of and other academic staff on the students with learning needs within each area, both prior to enrolment and on programme, ensuring that staff are aware of their SEND learners and are also able to provide feedback on their progress periodically and for annual reviews. To monitor the progress made in achieving plans and targets for learners with SEN including annual reviews for learners with an EHCP. To assist the Head of School with monitoring of Basic Education students progress as an independent view from outside of the curriculum team. To arrange further individual assessment of learning needs where appropriate To arrange completion of individual action plans for additional support and to ensure appropriate records are kept To liaise with the Head of School/Director regarding the additional support funding claims. To ensure that systems and procedures are in place to meet the audit requirements of the additional support funding claim To assist the Head of School with the allocation of resources including timetabling To implement with the Academic Standards Manager a system of quality assurance and review appropriate to learning support To take an active part in the appraisal system, and undertake appraisals of section staff in line with business Policy To attend appropriate staff development sessions and to set up training regarding learning support and SEN for other staff To participate in the recruitment and induction of full, part-time staff and casual staff To comply with all relevant Health & Safety regulations and assist in the implementation of the Health & Safety Policy To implement and comply with the Equality and Diversity Policy To carry out other duties as may reasonably be required To liaise with external agencies including local boroughs and parents To gather information on student, parent and local authority views to improve the quality of the programme PERSON SPECIFICATION: Degree or minimum level 4 qualification in a relevant area Minimum Level 5 teaching qualification recognised by the FE sector (e.g. PGCE/DET) or willingness to work towards, supported by the business SEN qualification or willingness to undertake one e.g. the National Award for SEN Coordination Minimum of 2 years’ experience of SEN teaching and learning support delivery in a Further Education setting Good working knowledge of the 2014 SEN Code of Practice An understanding of funding methodology in Learning Support An awareness of recent government initiatives relating to SEND The ability to deliver across the learning support spectrum Knowledge and experience of quality improvement processes Understanding and practical application of inclusive learning strategies and a proven commitment to equality and diversity Successful experience of managing a team in FE, including coaching and developing staff Understanding of the education market, including regional and community influences Good understanding of Safeguarding Experience of managing change and implementing new initiatives Experience of efficient resource management Commitment to implementing our compliance procedures and other policies Excellent communication skills Good IT skills The capacity to respond to the emotional as well as the educational and physical needs of individual students Further Education is an ever changing service and all staff are expected to participate constructively in business activities and to adopt a flexible approach to their work. This job description will be reviewed annually during the appraisal process and will be varied in the light of the business needs