SENCo – The Sallygate School

Salary – UPS1  £45,646 – LPS1 £49,871 per annum pro rata plus £2,679 SEN allowance

37.5 hours per week, Term Time only

The Sallygate School is an Independent Special School catering to the unique needs of pupils with SEMH.  Located in the heart of the Alkham Valley, near Dover, the Sallygate School is part of Channels & Choices Therapeutic Community which comprises of several therapeutic residential children’s homes, an independent therapeutic fostering agency and a multi-disciplinary therapy service, including SaLT & OT service.

At the Sallygate School we believe in providing a comprehensive and sequenced curriculum pathway that caters to the diverse needs of all our learners.  We understand that each student has unique abilities, learning styles and developmental requirements.  Our sequenced curriculum ensures a structured and supportive learning journey for every individual, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Perks, Rewards and Benefits

• Private Optical, Dental and Audiological cover
• Private Medical care
• Long service awards for 5-, 10- and 15-years’ service
• Regular team building days, parties, meals and more!
• Complimentary health and wellbeing support with our employee assistance programme
• Full Induction Package 

We are seeking an experienced SENCo to work alongside our leadership team and help shape the future vision of our school. You will be a creative thinker, highly organised and above all, passionate about improving the quality of children’s education. We are looking for a positive, open-minded professional with highly effective communication skills, and is supportive of the ethos, vision and values of the school. Ideally you will be caring, patient and self-motivated.

Overall purpose of Job

As part of the School Leadership Team you will take a key responsibility for all aspects of leading and managing SEN and wider inclusive provision across the school, including data analysis, supporting planning and implementation of interventions and strategies for SEN pupils alongside the Leadership Team, and monitoring day-to-day operations with regards to the SEN policy and provision.

To undertake the role of Designated Teacher to gather all data relating to the education of children in care, attending meetings, implementing strategies for learning and providing feedback as and when required.

To be a Designated Safeguarding Officer for the school, working alongside other DSL’s to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all pupils in the school, making appropriate referrals and attending meetings when required.

In an SEMH setting, the SENCO must demonstrate a strong understanding of mental health, trauma-informed practices, and behavioural management. You will play a key role in advocating for students’ emotional and mental health, ensuring that the learning environment is safe, supportive, and responsive to the unique needs of each student.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that the School’s SEN policy is fully integrated and implemented by monitoring that the school’s provision meets the needs of students with social, emotional, and mental health needs, in line with statutory requirements and the school’s ethos.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to plan for continuous improvement in SEN provision, ensuring resources are effectively allocated and that interventions are aligned with individual needs.
• Lead or facilitate regular sessions for teaching staff, support staff, and other stakeholders on SEMH issues, effective strategies, and inclusive practice.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of SEN provision, regularly reviewing strategies and adjusting to meet evolving student needs.
• Lead the identification and assessment process for students with SEMH needs, using a range of tools (observations, data, assessments, external reports) to ensure early identification and intervention.
• Continuously track the academic and social progress of students with SEMH needs, reviewing progress regularly and adjusting plans as necessary.
• Develop and regularly review tailored plans that outline specific learning goals, interventions, and strategies for students with SEMH needs ensuring the pupils Individual Education Plans are updated and relevant.
• Lead or oversee specific therapeutic, behavioural, and emotional interventions, such as mentoring, group work, or individual counselling, often in collaboration with external specialists.
• Ensure smooth transitions between phases of education, from primary to secondary school or post-school destinations, for students with SEMH needs.
• Work closely with classroom teachers and support staff to provide advice, guidance, and practical strategies to support students with SEMH needs.
• Maintain regular communication with parents, carers and internal staff, providing updates on students’ progress, discussing concerns, and offering strategies for support at home.
• Line Manage staff who are undertaking any Designated Teacher duties on behalf of the SENCo
• Keep up to date with relevant information, legislation and guidance in relation to SEN
• Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent) and our safeguarding and child protection policies
• Always demonstrate and model a commitment and contribution to the Equal Opportunities and Multi-Racial policies as well as anti-sexist practice.
• Always follow and adhere to all Policies and Procedures
• Undertake ongoing appropriate CPD and in service training as required by the job role
• Maintain high standards by always behaving and communicating in a professional manner
• Undertake additional or other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post and as directed and deemed appropriate by the Senior Leadership Team.

Person Specification:

The following outlines the minimum criteria for this post. Applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria will be shortlisted.  All applicants should describe in their application how they meet these criteria.

Qualifications (Essential) 

• QTS
• SENCO Qualification
• Good ICT skills

Qualifications (Desirable) 

• DSL Trained

Experience (Essential) 

• Knowledge of current safeguarding legislation, policy and practice relating to children and adults at risk.
• Experience of working with SEN pupils
• Experience of dealing with student pastoral and behaviour issues
• Experience of implementing school policies, protocols and guidance.
• Experience of creating successful relationships with staff, pupils and parents/carers
• Experience in administering EHC Plans and Personal Education Provision Plans (PEPs) and also in the Annual Review process
• Knowledge and understanding of diverse faiths, communities and cultures.
• Understanding the effects of various conditions that affect some children such as, but not limited to ADHD, autism, Aspergers syndrome, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Experience (Desirable) 

• Knowledge of the statutory agencies’ roles in safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• Experience of working as a deputy DSL

Knowledge & Skills (Essential)

• Good team working and organisational skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• A child-centred approach, able to maintain this perspective and use common sense.
• Ability to write concise reports and compile case file information.
• Ability to deal constructively and objectively with people’s emotions (eg upset, distress, conflict, animosity).
• Capacity to handle confidential data/information sensitively and with discretion.
• Effective prioritisation and time-management skills.
• Competent and efficient in the use of IT.
• Understand safeguarding procedures
• Driver with use of own car

Knowledge & Skills (Desirable)

• Effective presentation and facilitation skills.
• Working knowledge of CPOMs recording system.

Appraisal

Appraisal assessment will be based on the responsibilities outlined above and judgements will be made against these within the agreed timescale. The Headteacher/Leadership team will manage the person in this post.

At time of applying all job descriptions may, following consultation with you, be subject to change to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, which are commensurate with the salary and job title.

Employees are expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Headteacher or the Leadership Team to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Sallygate will endeavour to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.

Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care. Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CVs cannot be considered without a completed application form.

Channels & Choices are committed to ensuring that we are always recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our local community. We actively celebrate our staff’s different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome to apply for a job with Channels & Choices and our staff are supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

Channels and Choices reserve the right to carry out background social media checks on all new applicants.