Every school and early years setting has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). This will be a member of staff. They oversee SEND support and are usually responsible for:
- identifying students with SEND
- making sure the SEND policy is being followed
- working with parents, staff, professionals and Newcastle City Council to plan and deliver support
- keeping information about students with SEND up to date
- making sure the school or early years setting is meeting its responsibilities
You can find out who the SENCO is by contacting your early years setting or school. You should contact them if you think SEN support might be needed.
Who else is responsible for supporting SEND?
Everyone in your school or setting works together to give high-quality SEN support. This includes:
Teachers and early years educators:
- identifying the needs of a student with SEND
- responding to students' needs by making reasonable adjustments
- working with the SENCO and parents/carers to create an SEN support plan
- making sure support in an SEN support plan is given
- planning any support and interventions
- delivering planned interventions and support
Setting leaders - Head teachers, governors and managers
- reviewing the SEND policy
- checking that the needs of students with SEND are being met
- holding the school or setting accountable for SEN support
- helping address any concerns around SEN support