Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and Inclusion Support Teacher

Job details

Salary: To be confirmed based on experience

Contract type: Full-time and permanent

Reporting to: Head of Inclusion

Responsible for: Inclusion Support Teachers

Main purpose

The SENCO will, under the guidance of the head of inclusion:

• Lead the strategic evolution of the special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision within the school.
• Oversee the daily implementation of the SEN policy and coordinate tailored support for individual pupils with SEN or disabilities.
• Offer professional advice to colleagues, collaborating closely with staff, parents, carers, and various external agencies.
• While the SENCO will oversee provision for pupils with SEN or disabilities, the class teachers will be responsible for the everyday education and support of those pupils in their classrooms.

Qualifications and Training

• Possession of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Completion of the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCO.
• A bachelor’s degree is mandatory.
• A master’s degree in special educational needs is desirable.

Experience

• Experience at a whole-school level.
• Experience working with children with diverse SEN.
• Involvement in self-evaluation processes and development planning.
• Experience in conducting training or leading INSET.
• At least 2 years of successful primary teaching experience within the British Curriculum is desirable.
• Experience teaching in the UAE is desirable.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Knowledge of what constitutes ‘quality first’ teaching and effective intervention strategies.
• Capability to plan and assess interventions.
• Data analysis skills and ability to utilize data for provision planning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Skill in fostering effective working relationships.
• Aptitude for influencing and negotiating.
• Proficient record-keeping skills.
• Safe and ethical use of AI to enhance learning.
• Familiarity with UAE policies and the inspection framework is desirable.

Personal Qualities

• Dedication to achieving optimal outcomes for pupils and upholding the school's ethos and values.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and ensuring positive outcomes for pupils with SEN or disabilities.
• Ability to perform under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Commitment to confidentiality at all times.
• Dedication to safeguarding and equality.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic development of SEN policy and provision

• Maintain a strategic perspective on provision for pupils with SEN or disabilities, monitoring and evaluating the quality of services.
• Contribute to the school’s self-evaluation, particularly regarding SEN or disability provisions.
• Ensure the effective execution of the SEN policy, with objectives reflected in the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
• Stay updated on national and local initiatives that may influence the school’s policies and practices.
• Assess the effectiveness of resource usage and propose adjustments to optimize resource allocation.

Operation of the SEN policy and coordination of provision

• Keep an accurate inclusion register and provision map.
• Guide colleagues on teaching strategies for pupils with SEN or disabilities and advise on the graduated approach to support.
• Assist colleagues in implementing differentiated teaching strategies tailored to individual pupils with SEN.
• Advise on budget allocation and resource utilization to effectively meet pupil needs, including staff deployment.
• Stay informed about local offer provisions.
• Collaborate with early years providers, other educational institutions, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and external agencies.
• Serve as a primary contact for external agencies, particularly the KHDA.
• Analyze assessment data for pupils with SEN or disabilities.
• Lead and implement interventions.

Apply via the WhatSchool platform.