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Professional life
The Modern Role of a SENCo Nigel Pugh writes about the many different hats a SENCo must wear in their daily work.
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pecial Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCo) are probably the most important person you will meet during your child’s SEN journey. They have a complex and nuanced role to play in the lives of pupils with special educational needs. Being a SENCo is a demanding role that requires a big heart, oodles of drive, and a passion for providing support. It also requires a child-centred approach, with patience and collaboration. Their main roles will normally include tasks involving policy (overviewing budget, annual reviews and line management), practice (identifying needs, being aware of different types of SEN, understand SEN law) and parents (explaining, supporting and advocating to and for parents). They spend the majority of their working lives writing reports or on the phone to various agencies. Many, particularly in primary schools, also have a teaching role. It is beyond doubt a difficult and multifaceted role which requires a lot of listening, and an awful lot of writing and an eye for detail.
What are some of the key responsibilities of a SENCo? A SENCo must be a qualified teacher, they are normally a senior teacher with many years of experience. They have to be able to command the respect of both the senior leadership of the school and the classroom teaching and support staff. It is a difficult balancing act! The title of SENCo is an appointment made by the Head Teacher. Newly appointed SENCOs from 2014 onwards should have The National Award for SENCos or equivalent, which is a mandatory qualification. The Senco normally has a strategic role within the school, working collaboratively with classroom teachers, school leaders, external agencies such as Educational Psychologists and health and social care colleagues,
“It is a difficult and multifaceted role which requires a lot of listening” SEN111
senmagazine.co.uk
