Schools, early years and childcare

The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)/Inclusion Manager, in collaboration with the head teacher and governing body, plays a key role in determining the strategic development of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school to raise the achievement of children with special educational needs. The SENCO/Inclusion Manager takes day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the SEN policy and co-ordination of the provision made for individual children with special educational needs, working closely with staff, parents and carers and other agencies. The SENCO/Inclusion Manager also provides related professional guidance to colleagues with the aim of securing high quality teaching for children with special educational needs.

The SENCO/Inclusion Manager, with the support of the head teacher and colleagues, seeks to develop effective ways of overcoming barriers to learning and sustaining effective teaching through the analysis and assessment of children’s needs, by monitoring the quality of teaching and standards of pupils' achievements and by setting targets for improvement. The SENCO/Inclusion Manager collaborates with curriculum co-ordinators so that learning for all children is given equal priority and available resources are used to maximum effect.

The key responsibilities of the SENCO/Inclusion Manager may include:

• overseeing the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEN policy;
• co-ordinating provision for children with special educational needs;
• liaising with and advising fellow teachers;
• managing learning support assistants;
• overseeing the records of all children with special educational needs;
• liaising with parents of children with special educational needs;
• contributing to the in-service training of staff;
• liaising with external agencies, including services provided by Medway Council, such as educational psychology services, health and social services and voluntary bodies.

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