Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)

JOB PURPOSE:

• Be responsible for implementing Springfield Park Road Nursery Inclusion/SEND policy and to work closely with others and parents to support children with SEND
• To provide high quality care and early education to children aged 2 - 5.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To promote an ethos of inclusive practice within the nursery
• Work with the manager of the setting to regularly review the SEN and disability policy and practice within the setting and agree how it will be implemented.
• Support staff to uphold the nursery ethos and approach to children with additional needs
• Support the nursery manager to ensure the nursery provides inclusive early years foundation stage provision
• Ensure early identification and intervention is implemented across the nursery.
• Advise and support practitioners who are concerned about a child
• Support staff to do additional observation and assessment of children's learning and development and ensure differentiated planning to meet that child's needs
• Support the key person to complete Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in partnership with parents
• Complete additional paperwork and referral forms supported by key person
• Ensure that all practitioners work closely with parents/carers at all stages
• Liaise with other professionals including those from outside agencies
• Make sure parents receive the information, advice and support that they need in order to participate in the SEN decision-making process.
• Ensure parents are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting.
• Involve parents in the discussion of any early concerns, in identifying any SEN and work closely with parents to ensure an appropriate support package is put in place for the child
• Arrange review meetings with parents and other professionals
• Promote high standards of quality within the nursery in respect of the environment resources and experiences offered to children with a disability/ SEN
• Be able to apply for appropriate funding for children with a disability or SEN such as ICEY
• Ensure parents/carers are aware of support groups that could help manage/ support their child's disability
• Support the nursery manager and staff during inspections by regulatory bodies and assist in the implementation of any recommendations.
• To meet with the nursery manager regularly to feed back any updates, improvements, concerns that need addressing.
• Be an advocate to promote the Springfield project's ethos, vision statement, and benefits.
• To support effective partnerships working with children, families and the wider community, continuously looking at ways to build relationships with external agencies
• To ensure that children's development is tracked and that appropriate interventions are implemented to promote good child development.
• To be familiar with and uphold the policies and procedures of the Project especially those relating to Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Child Protection
• To ensure the safety and welfare of children is prioritised at all times, and follow the Project's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
• To provide a warm, welcoming and inclusive play environment where individuals are valued and appropriate adaptations are made to maximise all children's engagement with play.
• To work within a team and maintain good communications.
• To adhere to the confidentiality policy.
• To attend all staff meetings and Project training days as required.
• To contribute to evaluation of services delivered.
• To attend relevant and mandatory training courses.
• To maintain appropriate Safeguarding and First Aid Certificate.
• To undertake personal professional development and training as appropriate.

Staff are expected to wear the uniform supplied and to keep their appearance clean and tidy.

The SENCO will be based in the nursery room and counted in ratio with the children, and will be expected to role model good practice, ensuring that all children attending the nursery receive rich and stimulating experiences appropriate to their age and stage of development.

The Springfield Project exists to respond to the needs of individuals, therefore many tasks and responsibilities are unpredictable and varied. It is therefore expected that all staff will work in a flexible manner when required, undertaking tasks that have not specifically been covered in their job description.

WORKING CONTEXT

The Springfield Project nurseries are a key part of their services to the local community. The post holder will be expected to understand the wider Project services, ensuring families have access to Children's Centre services where there is an identified need.

Postholders will be required to work flexibly across the two nursery sites.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The post holder will adhere to the Project's Equal Opportunities Policy in all aspects of service delivery, actively promoting services to meet the needs of disadvantaged and minority groups.

SAFEGUARDING

The post holder will be expected to work within the Project's Safeguarding Procedures, which are informed by the policy and procedures of the Birmingham Safeguarding Board. The post holder will be expected to undertake Child Safeguarding training.

This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.

DATA PROTECTION

There is a requirement to obtain and/or process information held on paper or electronic records in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the requirements of Project's policies. Information must only be held for the specific registered purpose and must not be used or disclosed in any way incompatible with such purpose. Information must only be disclosed to authorised persons or organisations as agreed by the Chief Executive Officer.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The post holder is expected to work within the statutory and Project's health and safety requirements.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

1. Line Manager:

Nursery Manager

2. Level of Supervision:

Frequent and regular supervision as the role develops until competency established. Then left to work within established guidelines with regular supervision.