Starting Out as a Primary SENCo: Finding your first post, the first year and beyond

Starting Out as a Primary SENCo is a comprehensive guide for new SENCo's covering everything from release time to pay, wellbeing to progression, and assessment to implementation of whole school approaches, with templates of key paperwork included as downloadable online resources.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Starting Out as a Primary SENCo is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide designed to assist individuals in their first role as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) in primary schools. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for finding the first SENCo post, preparing for the first day and year in the role, and managing various aspects of the SENCo role, including release time, pay, wellbeing, progression, assessment, and implementing whole school approaches. The book covers a wide range of topics, including templates of key paperwork such as student profiles, workload overviews, and child annual review documents, which are available as downloadable online resources. The author, Lynn How, is a SENCo expert with over 20 years of experience and runs the award-winning blog positiveyoungmind.com.

The guide begins by providing an overview of the SENCo role and its responsibilities, including working with children with special educational needs (SEN) and their families, liaising with teachers, and managing resources and support. It then moves on to discuss the process of finding a SENCo post, including applying for jobs, attending interviews, and negotiating terms and conditions. The guide provides tips on how to prepare for the first day and year in the role, including setting up a workspace, developing relationships with colleagues, and managing workload.

One of the key aspects of the SENCo role is assessment. The guide provides detailed information on different types of assessments, including formal assessments, informal assessments, and observations, and how to use them to identify children's needs and plan appropriate interventions. It also covers the importance of involving children and their families in the assessment process and how to communicate assessment results effectively.

Implementing whole school approaches is another critical aspect of the SENCo role. The guide provides guidance on how to develop and implement school-wide policies and practices that support children with SEN, including inclusive teaching, behavior management, and social and emotional development. It also covers the importance of working with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists, to ensure that children receive the best possible support.

In addition to the practical aspects of the SENCo role, the guide also addresses the importance of wellbeing and progression. It provides tips on how to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as how to support children's progression and achieve their goals. It also covers the importance of continuing professional development and how to access training and resources to improve your skills and knowledge.

One of the strengths of Starting Out as a Primary SENCo is its practical and accessible approach. The guide is written in a clear and concise style, with step-by-step instructions and examples to help you understand and apply the information. It also includes templates of key paperwork, which can be downloaded and used as a starting point for your own documentation.

However, it is important to note that the SENCo role is complex and requires a high level of expertise and knowledge. While the guide provides a comprehensive overview of the role, it is not a substitute for professional training and experience. It is recommended that individuals seeking to become SENCo's should undertake training and gain experience in the field before taking on the role.

In conclusion, Starting Out as a Primary SENCo is a valuable resource for individuals who are new to the SENCo role or who are looking to improve their skills and knowledge. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for finding the first SENCo post, preparing for the first day and year in the role, and managing various aspects of the SENCo role, including assessment, implementation of whole school approaches, wellbeing, and progression. It is written in a practical and accessible style, with templates of key paperwork available as downloadable online resources. However, it is important to note that the SENCo role is complex and requires a high level of expertise and knowledge, and individuals should undertake training and gain experience before taking on the role.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801995597