SEND Lead

Reports to

Head of Early Years Practice / Quality & Training Manager

Line management

No line management

Role purpose

Our mission

To provide exceptional early years care in a safe, nurturing and fulfilling environment whilst inspiring children to unlock their full potential through key skills and values which will establish them as gifted citizens of the world.

Our vision

To be a nursery where teaching is fun, and learning is easy.

Our values

We are caring

We are kind, gentle, calm, and welcoming. We respect the children, each other and our environment. We teach the children and are ready to listen and learn from them. We build trusting, supportive, and non-discriminatory relationships in the best interests of the child. We have sensitive, responsive, and expressive interactions between practitioner and children. We celebrate each child’s unique perspective and take children seriously as active and competent members of society.

We are energetic

We play, learn, and laugh together, spending time outdoors and encouraging children to be active, confident, and joyful participants. We provide experiences which inspire creativity and nurture curiosity, enabling children to be independent, resilient, and successful. We grow, cook, and eat together, building skills for a healthy future.

We are innovative

We uphold traditional theories and pedagogies, but constantly review, research, and reflect. We listen to ideas and are ready to embrace them. We are proud to be leaders in progressive childcare.

Your duties

Purpose of the job

  • To actively promote the best interests of all children with SEN. To ensure all practitioners in the nursery understand their responsibilities to children with SEN and the nursery’s approach to identifying and meeting SEN. To advise and support practitioners. To liaise with the local authority, external agencies, and professionals. To ensure parents are closely involved with decision making and implementing support for their child. All early year's providers are required to have arrangements in place to identify and support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and to promote equality of opportunity for children in their care. These requirements are set out in the EYFS framework and further outlined in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25. The SEND Code of Practice: 0-25, provides statutory guidance on principles, responsibilities, policies, and procedures.

Overall Responsibility

  • To lead, develop, and maintain high quality SEN provision which enables quality teaching, excellent learning outcomes and success for all children with SEN.
  • To be aware of the nursery’s responsibilities according to the Send Code of Practice: 0-25, and ensure these are incorporated in daily practice.
  • To model effective teaching, to coach and train colleagues and to lead SEN teaching across the nursery.
  • To ensure all relevant paperwork is completed in a timely and effective way, including meeting minutes and referrals.
  • Support practitioners in implementing our approach for ensuring children’s developmental needs are met.
  • To assist in identifying children who may require early intervention and to liaise with staff and parents/carers.
  • Implement SEN support and the graduated approach of: assess, plan, do, review to meet the outcomes identified for children.
  • In accordance with the Local Authority, complete relevant paperwork to ensure the needs of children with SEN are met.
  • To set and regularly monitor progress against targets for children with SEN, in line with the nursery curriculum, EYFS and support tools/programmes.
  • To be aware of current information and legislation with regards to SEN.
  • To advise on purchase of resources to assist children’s progress.
  • Liaise with external professionals and assist with transition to school.
  • Take account of the child’s voice.
  • Complete a monthly SENCo overview.

Teaching and Learning

  • Ensure all practitioners understand their responsibilities to children with SEN and the nursery’s approach to identifying and supporting children with SEN.
  • Provide 1:1 support to children with SEN in the absence of their key person.
  • Support the identification of the most effective teaching approach for children with SEN.
  • Lead EHCP reviews and TAC meetings.
  • Ensure advice given by professionals is incorporated into the nursery planning.
  • Work with practitioners to ensure realistic expectations of children with SEN.
  • Monitor the use of resources and appropriate activities.
  • Complete records that demonstrate progress of children with SEN.
  • Attend and participate in relevant training, sharing knowledge and ideas with team.

Parent Partnership

  • Make sure parents receive the information, advice, and support that they need in order to participate in the SEN decision-making process for their child.
  • Develop partnerships with parents to ensure their views are considered and acted upon appropriately.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

  • Ensure policies and procedures are understood, followed and maintained.
  • Promote inclusion of all children and take responsibility for the support of children with SEN, along with other vulnerable groups. E.g., English as an additional language.
  • Show commitment to Snapdragons policies, our inclusive ethos and promotion of equal opportunities for all the children. To play a part in the nursery community, challenge and strongly oppose any form of discrimination.

Managing own performance and development

  • Take responsibility for own CPD, with support from nursery manager.
  • Demonstrate resilience, resourcefulness, and empathy.
  • Assist colleagues at other sites to share best practice and advice.

What you need

Essential

  • Enhanced DBS
  • GCSE 4+ in English and Maths (A – C)
  • SENDCo trained
  • Previously held a SEND role within an education establishment
  • Extensive knowledge and competence of the SEND Code of Practice: 0-25
  • Clear understanding of child development (0-5) and knowledge of age appropriate developmental milestones
  • Practical knowledge of using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to assess children's development
  • Competence of how to effectively use the Graduated Approach
  • A willingness to undertake relevant further training as and when required
  • Able to follow instructions and work using own initiative as necessary
  • Good communication skills both written and verbal
  • Commitment to safeguarding children at all times
  • Ability to engage and interact positively with all stakeholders - children, colleagues, parents and external agencies
  • Reliable, responsible, trustworthy and motivated

Desirable

  • Early Years SENCo Level 3
  • Full and relevant qualification specific to Early Years as defined by the Department for Education
  • Specific training related to SEND e.g. PECs, Attention Autism, TEACCH.
  • Working knowledge of the SEND Local Offer and support they offer (county specific based on nursery location)
  • Subscription to the DBS update service
  • Foundation Safeguarding Awareness Training
  • Paediatric First Aid Training (12 hours)
  • Emergency First Aid at Work (1 day)
  • Food Hygiene Certificate