SendCo in York

Reporting to the Headteacher with responsibility for providing support for children with SEND. Provide professional guidance to staff and parents and liaise with external agencies. Support and advise staff on appropriate resources and techniques to adopt to ensure children with SEND receive high quality inclusive teaching to help them achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Have knowledge and experience of different learning styles, including difficulties and disabilities, which are classified as SEND, and ensure each child has the right environment to learn, depending on their own needs.
• Support teachers to develop and implement effective and inclusive teaching and behaviour management approaches in the classroom, including supporting children in the class, as needed.
• Understand Steiner Waldorf pedagogy and work within this approach to ensure all children have access to learning.
• Develop learning resources to help with pupils' development.
• Work with pupils, classroom teachers, Learning Support Assistants, the school leadership team, parents and relevant external agencies to develop, implement and monitor individual support/learning plans, which include social and academic targets (APDR).
• Ensure LSAs are allocated appropriately across the school.
• Meet with parents and external agencies to support support plans.
• Develop, submit and chair annual reviews for EHCPs, providing relevant agencies, parents and the LEA with updates on the pupils' progression.
• Monitor/Make Early Help referrals and monitor the progress of these.
• Make referrals and liaise with professionals outside of the school within local authorities and health care services, including psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
• Develop and maintain systems for keeping pupil records, ensuring information is accurate and up to date, including an accurate SEND register.
• Carry out four-part cycle assessments of pupils with SEND to identify needs and monitor progress - including observations in the classroom and meetings with teachers and parents.
• Work with the admissions officer to gain information about new pupils to ensure we can meet their needs.
• Take on the role of Deputy safeguarding lead, analysing incidents and attending regular safeguarding meetings.
• Monitor exclusions and, in consultation with the leadership team, evaluate whether our school can meet the needs of a child.
• Develop the school SEND Policy, ensuring that these policies and procedures are in line with the latest National and local mandatory SEND policies and regulations.
• Oversee the implementation of the school's SEND action plan and policy to colleagues, cascading any changes and relevant information.
• Preparing and leading SEND training for Teachers and LSAs, on supporting pupils with SEND and Mental Health / Well being.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the school's Mental Health action plan and policy.
• Performance manage the learning support assistant team, carry out review.
• Manage and advise on the school SEND budget and resources for SEND provision, including ensuring the EHCP top-up funding is allocated correctly.
• Implement access arrangements for GCSEs including relevant assessments and paperwork.
• Analyse school, local and national data, creating a summary for the trustees (SEND on a page).

Additional Responsibilities

• Member of both the Senior Management Team and Educational Management Group, which meet weekly after school hours.
• Participate in and attend staff training days/sessions, (co) - leading these where appropriate.
• Comply with all school policies and procedures, especially safeguarding, health & safety and IT policy.
• Participate in break-time supervision and any other reasonable management instructions.

Statutory Requirements

• Responsibility for electronic record keeping to meet both statutory and school requirements e.g. school management systems, safeguarding systems.
• Follow the school’s behaviour policy when interacting with children.
• Ensure all safeguarding concerns are recorded in accordance with the schools safeguarding policy.

PERSON SPECIFICATION CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL

• Qualifications, Training and Experience
• Qualified Teacher Status
• NASENCO or NPLQ Qualification for SENDCo (s) - or willing to complete the training
• At least five years teaching experience
• Experience working with a range of children with SEND
• Experience of chairing annual reviews for EHCPs
• Access arrangement experience
• An understanding of Steiner Waldorf Education and the Ethos of York Steiner School
• IT skills including Microsoft Office and G suite
• Maths and English GCSE

Personal Qualities

• Professional, positive, friendly and approachable
• Ability to relate to and inspire children
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and on your own
• A commitment to the school and a desire to become part of the school community
• Excellent interpersonal skills dealing with children, staff, parents and external agencies
• A positive attitude to work, being responsible, self-motivated, proactive and flexible
• Resilience and a sense of humour in times of pressure
• Adaptability in the context of a small school

We implement safeguarding protocols in all aspects of our working practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and this will include social media checks. York Steiner School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that every job applicant or employee receives equal treatment irrespective of sex, marital status, age, race, nationality, disability, sexuality or religious belief.

In order to apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be downloaded at https://www.yorksteinerschool.org/job-opportunities/ and send to the School HR Manager alongside a cover letter and up to date CV.

Interview Date: Week commencing 7th July 2025

Start Date: September 2025

Please note the salary scale is dependent on experience and relevant qualifications.