You may have dealt with a Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) if you were ever concerned about the learning of your child at school. If you’re not familiar with this term, a SENCO is a professional who provides advice, guidance, and instruction on all issues relating to special education needs. The SENCO plays a crucial role in ensuring that all students with disabilities and special needs receive the necessary support within the classroom.
The SENCO’s role is not limited to working with individual students. They also have a key part in determining strategic developments of related policies and provisions within a school. Schools should advertise their commitment to special educational needs provision. For Primary School Websites, consider a company like https://www.fsedesign.co.uk/websites-for-schools/primary-school-websites
What does the role entail?
It is the principal responsibility to oversee the daily operation of the school’s Special Educational Needs policy, but it also includes:
- Supporting identification of special education needs children.
- Contacting parents of children who have SEN.
- Contacting other service providers, external agencies, educational psychology.
- Assuring the school maintains the most recent records for all students with special needs.
- Children with special needs need to be provided for in a coordinated manner
Children with SEN have four main needs:
- Learning and cognition
- Sensory and physical
- Communication and interaction
- Mental health includes social, emotional and mental health
A SENCO will be committed to working with you in partnership to deliver the best possible service for your child. You can also expect them to be communicative and open. The SENCO should ensure that the plans and provisions agreed upon for your child will be implemented by the school.
What are the questions I should ask my school about?
Three key questions include:
- How can I support my child with the expertise available in school?
- How will you support children with SEN in addition to, or differently from the current system?
- Does my child make progress and does the support work?
It is vital that all communications are honest, even when the answers may not be what you want to hear. You will gain more trust in your school if you know that they are honest. It is important that you feel informed and are invited to review meetings so you can talk about how the school’s doing. They should be a strong advocate in school for your child, by getting to know his or her specific needs.
