SEND Coordinator

Job responsibilities

1. Role Focus

To coordinate all activities within the charity related to supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including neurodiversity. The SEND Co-ordinator will play a critical role in ensuring children, young people, and their families receive the appropriate guidance, early support, and interventions to promote positive emotional well-being, mental health, and access to educational and preventative services. This role involves working with families, professionals, and stakeholders to navigate systems of support, such as Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), and to advocate for the needs of children and young people. This includes close collaboration with education providers and mental health support teams in schools to deliver integrated support.

2. Key Duties and Responsibilities

2.1) Coordination of SEND Services

• Act as the primary point of contact for all SEND-related activities and queries within the charity.
• Support triage processes in the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service (MHEWS) services in identifying referrals received into the charity to consider early SEND best practice, pathways planning, tracking and monitoring for SEND identified cases.
• Oversee requests for professional advice related to Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring compliance with statutory timelines and regulations.
• Liaise with schools, healthcare providers, and local authorities to ensure children and young peoples needs are accurately identified and addressed.
• Support families through the process of securing Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), including preparing professional advice, attending meetings, and coordinating reviews.
• Work closely with schools to ensure that children and young people receive appropriate support to meet their individual needs.
• Work with designated SEND Practice Leads to develop and improve the SEND offer to children and families
• Work with Comms and Projects Lead to oversee and co-ordinate any external requests for attending SEND events and relevant suitable outreach activities

2.2) Support for Families (Parents and Carers)

• Provide tailored advice and guidance to parents and carers regarding SEND processes, including EHCP applications, annual reviews, and appeals.
• Signpost families to relevant local and national and local services, including early support networks, therapy services, and advocacy organizations.
• Facilitate workshops or training sessions for parents and carers on understanding SEND frameworks, navigating support systems, and promoting positive mental health.

2.3) Advocacy for Neurodiverse Children and Young People

• Develop and deliver tailored resources and programs to support neurodiverse children and young people, ensuring their unique needs are met in educational and community settings.
• Collaborate with mental health professionals to create and implement preventative interventions promoting emotional well-being and resilience.
• Work directly with children and young people to provide practical strategies for self-advocacy and accessing support.

2.4) Partnership and Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with schools, early support services, and local authority SEND teams to streamline access to services.
• Represent the charity at multi-agency meetings and appropriate panels to advocate for the needs of children and young people.
• Participate in local forums and networks to stay updated on SEND developments and opportunities for collaboration.

2.5) Collaborating with Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)

• Act as a point of contact for schools and MHSTs to identify children and young people who may benefit from early mental health interventions.
• Coordinate referrals between families, schools, and MHSTs, ensuring children and young people access the right level of mental health support.
• Work with MHSTs and schools to promote preventative strategies for improving emotional well-being, such as mindfulness programs, peer support schemes, or anti-bullying initiatives.
• Collaborate on workshops or training sessions for school staff, families, and students to raise awareness about mental health and neurodiversity.

2.6) Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all interactions with children, young people, and families (parents and carers) in compliance with GDPR.
• Collect and analyse data on the effectiveness of SEND services and interventions to identify gaps and inform strategic planning.
• Produce reports and case studies for internal review and funding applications, demonstrating the charitys impact on the SEND community.
• Provide reports and case studies demonstrating how the role interfaces with education and mental health services to improve outcomes for children and young people.

2.7) Training and Capacity Building

• Stay abreast of changes in SEND legislation, policies, and best practices, and disseminate this information within the charity.
• Provide training for charity staff and volunteers to enhance their understanding of SEND and neurodiversity.
• Attend relevant professional development opportunities to deepen expertise in SEND and mental health.
• Deliver training sessions to school staff, mental health teams, and charity staff on topics such as neurodiversity, the EHCP process, and inclusive education practices.
• Keep up to date with SEND and mental health legislation, policy changes, and best practices to ensure the charitys services remain relevant and effective.
• Develop resources and toolkits to support families, schools, and professionals in navigating SEND and mental health challenges.

2.8) Promoting Inclusivity

• Ensure all services and activities provided by the charity are inclusive and accessible to children and young people with SEND.
• Advocate for the inclusion of neurodiverse children and young people in all aspects of the charitys programs and initiatives.
• Work with schools to create inclusive environments for children with SEND, including adjustments to the curriculum, classroom accommodations, and staff training.

3) Practice Responsibilities

• To decide on an appropriate course of action with the professionals involved, providing advice, support and knowledge of appropriate resources for the emotional wellbeing of children and their families.
• To carry out joint and/or individual triage assessments of children and families.
• To provide support and guidance to others with the aim of improving skills, knowledge and facilitating reflective practice.
• Manage own workload through both practice and managerial supervision.
• To participate in team and service ...