KS3 SENCO

About the role

Job description

• The KS3 SENCO will work closely with the SENCO to lead and coordinate high-quality SEND provision across Years 7–9.

• The postholder will have specific responsibility for ensuring that students with SEND in KS3 are appropriately identified, supported and monitored, and that effective provision and reasonable adjustments are in place to enable them to make progress.

• The KS3 SENCO will support the implementation of the SEND Code of Practice, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), the Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) process and the Academy’s wider approach to inclusion.

• Lead and coordinate SEND provision across Years 7, 8 and 9 under the direction of the SENCO.

• Work closely with the SENCO, Heads of Year, Inclusion Team and teaching staff to ensure the needs of KS3 students with SEND are identified and supported.

• Oversee the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle for KS3 students receiving SEN Support.

• Manage and review KS3 Provision Plans and ensure that staff have clear and up-to-date information about students’ needs, provision and classroom strategies.

• Monitor the progress, attainment, attendance and engagement of KS3 students with SEND and identify where additional support is required.

• Coordinate and monitor targeted SEND interventions across KS3 and evaluate their impact.

• Support the achievement and progress of all KS3 students with SEND.

• Support the attendance and engagement of KS3 students with SEND, working collaboratively with pastoral staff and families where appropriate.

• Meet regularly with students to ensure their views are reflected in their provision and support.

• Build positive and professional relationships with parents/carers and act as a key point of contact for KS3 SEND matters.

• Liaise with external agencies and professionals as appropriate.

• Raise awareness of SEND and promote inclusive practice across the Academy.

• Work with the SENCO to ensure the Academy meets its statutory responsibilities towards students with SEND.

• Have a secure working knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and relevant SEND legislation.

• Support the SENCO with applications for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments, including coordinating and gathering appropriate evidence.

• Support the SENCO with the implementation and monitoring of EHCP provision.

• Ensure that provision specified within Section F of KS3 students’ EHCPs is understood, monitored and delivered, escalating concerns to the SENCO where necessary.

• Contribute to and, where delegated by the SENCO, lead EHCP Annual Reviews for KS3 students.

• Respond to Local Authority consultations as directed by the SENCO and within statutory timescales.

• Maintain accurate SEND records and ensure relevant documentation is completed within required timescales.

• Liaise with Local Authority officers and external professionals as appropriate.

• Work alongside the SENCO and Exams Officer to identify KS3 students who may require Access Arrangements.

• Coordinate the gathering of teacher evidence to establish students’ normal way of working.

• Support the implementation and monitoring of appropriate classroom adjustments and assessment arrangements.

• Ensure agreed adjustments are routinely used in lessons and internal assessments so that normal way of working can be appropriately evidenced.

• Support the SENCO with screening and assessment processes for Access Arrangements where appropriately qualified to do so.

• Maintain accurate records and evidence to support future Access Arrangement applications.

• Develop staff understanding of Access Arrangements, including the importance of establishing a normal way of working.

• Ensure staff understand that Access Arrangements should not be promised to students or parents before the appropriate evidence and assessment processes have been completed.

• Work with the SENCO and Exams Officer to ensure practice is consistent with current JCQ regulations.

• Take a lead role in SEND transition from Year 6 into Year 7.

• Liaise with primary schools to gather relevant SEND information and ensure appropriate support is in place for students joining the Academy.

• Attend or contribute to transition meetings for students with significant SEND where appropriate.

• Work with students and families to support a successful transition into secondary school.

• Ensure relevant information is communicated effectively to teaching and support staff before students start.

• Support transition between KS3 year groups and preparation for KS4.

• Promote high-quality adaptive teaching as the first response to SEND.

• Work with teachers to identify barriers to learning and appropriate strategies to support individual students.

• Provide guidance to staff on appropriate teaching and learning approaches for students with SEND.

• Observe students where appropriate and provide practical advice and strategies to teaching staff.

• Support teachers in implementing reasonable adjustments and Provision Plan strategies consistently.

• Plan, deliver or oversee targeted SEND interventions where required.

• Monitor intervention attendance, progress and impact and recommend changes where provision is not having the intended impact.

• Use assessment information and data effectively to identify students who may require further investigation or support.

• Support the development of literacy, numeracy, communication, cognition and learning and SEMH interventions as appropriate.

• Provide SEND support and training to teachers, trainees and early career teachers where required.

• Line manages designated Learning Support Assistants as directed by the SENCO.

• Complete appraisal and supervision processes for allocated staff.

• Support the effective deployment of LSAs according to identified student needs.

• Provide guidance and support to LSAs to ensure provision is effective and promotes student independence.

• Promote teamwork and positive working relationships across the SEND team.

• Support the professional development of teaching and support staff in relation to SEND.

• Monitor the quality and impact of support provided to KS3 students.

• Work collaboratively with the wider Inclusion and Pastoral teams while maintaining clear SEND responsibilities.

• Develop positive relationships with parents/carers of KS3 students with SEND.

• Liaise with and inform parents/carers about SEND provision for their child.

• Ensure the views of students and parents/carers contribute to the APDR process.

• Attend and contribute to meetings with families and professionals.

• Liaise with educational psychologists, specialist teachers, outreach services, health professionals, social care and other agencies as appropriate.

• Maintain accurate records of meetings, discussions, agreed actions and professional advice.

• Ensure relevant information from external professionals is shared appropriately with staff.

• Monitor the academic progress, attendance, behaviour and engagement of KS3 students with SEND.

• Use data effectively to identify students who are underachieving or where provision may need to change.

• Evaluate the impact of SEND interventions and additional provision.

• Report concerns and emerging trends to the SENCO.

• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the Academy’s SEND provision.

• Support the SENCO with SEND audits, reviews and preparation for external scrutiny where required.

• Deputise for the SENCO in matters relating to SEND when appropriate and as directed.

• Attend staff meetings, parents’ evenings, INSET sessions, Open Evenings and other relevant Academy events.

• Assist with the supervision of students outside lesson times, including before school, after school and at lunchtime as reasonably required.

• Support and promote the aims, values and policies of the Academy.

• Maintain confidentiality and professional standards at all times.

• Undertake relevant professional development.

• Participate fully in the Academy’s performance management and appraisal processes.

• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level and nature of the role.

The postholder will be expected to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people and follow all Academy safeguarding policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will be subject to the Academy’s safer recruitment procedures and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is currently envisaged. The role will be reviewed annually as part of the performance appraisal process, and the postholder will be expected to undertake reasonable duties consistent with the level and nature of the role.
Westfield Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. To meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous, safer recruitment process. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and other appropriate pre-employment checks.