Key Roles in Supporting Learners with SEND

The role of Governors

Governors will:

Ensure that there is a qualified teacher designated as SENCO for the school
Publish information on the schools website about implementation of the SEND policy
Liaise with the Head teacher to determine the school’s policy and approach to provision for pupils with SEN
Establish the appropriate staffing and funding arrangements and maintain a general oversight of the school’s work
Monitor the effectiveness of SEN provision in the school
Provide challenge as a critical friend

The Governor with responsibility for SEN will:-

Regularly discuss provision, impact and any other issues to enhance SEN provision with the SENCO

The role of Head Teachers

Head teachers will:

Liaise with the governing body and SENCO to determine the school’s policy and approach to provision for pupils with SEN
Report directly to parents, LA(if appropriate) or other interested party

The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Designated Safeguarding Leads will:

Take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the school
Ensuring school staff have an up to date knowledge of safeguarding procedures in school and the signs of abuse particularly in children with SEND
Recognise the additional risks that children with SEND face online, for example, from online bullying, grooming and radicalisation and be confident they have the capability to support SEND children to stay safe online.
Liaise with staff (especially pastoral support staff, school nurses, IT Technicians, and SENCOs or the named person with oversight for SEN in a college) on matters of safety and safeguarding (including online and digital safety) and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies; and act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff.
Support the SENCO in identifying appropriate multi-agency support services
Handle reports and concerns relating the safety and welfare of learners including those with SEND
Ensuring the appropriate SEND information is shared within multi-agency work.
Refer cases of suspected abuse to local authority children’s social work services as required.

The role of the Designated Teacher for Children Looked After (CLA)

The designated teacher will:-

Have an overview of the support and progress of CLA’s in school
Provide support and leadership for identifying CLA’s who are at risk of falling behind and notifying the SENCO of any concerns
Ensuring the SENCO is kept informed of any interventions being provided through additional CLA funding
Supporting organization of meetings (including SEN Reviews/PEPS/LAC Reviews) regarding a CLA child to ensure a joined up approach and reduction of number of meetings for carers and professionals.
Be familiar with the content of IEPs, Pupils Passports and EHCPs of CLA learners and attend reviews of such documentation

Supporting the gathering of assessments and evidence to support the application for a Statutory Assessment if appropriate
Work collaboratively with the SENCO to ensure all relevant funding is being used to support a graduated response.

The role of Phase /Year /Key Stage leaders

Leaders will:-

Be responsible for the pastoral care/learning programmes for a particular phase or group
Provide support/ leadership in planning, monitoring and evaluating the curriculum including provision for SEN pupils

The role of the Literacy and Numeracy Co-ordinators

Co-ordinators will:-

Work with the SENCO and teachers to advise on suitable learning strategies and resources for pupil’s needs
Support whole school approaches to support the development of key skills

The role of Teachers

Teachers will:-

Plan for and respond to pupils’ diverse needs
Prepare the learning environment
Deliver and evaluate the curriculum
Monitor and assess pupil attainment
Plan and prepare suitable work to be delivered by TAs
Direct TAs effectively and in line with guidance provided by the SENCO
Ensure training received to support additional needs is implemented
Ensure effective practice and provision for individual pupils is shared with colleagues at any and all transition points

The role of Teaching Assistants

Teaching assistants will:-

Support learners under the direction of the class teacher and/or SENCO
Monitor learners and their progress and share concerns with teachers and SENCO as appropriate
Support individual pupils and small groups of pupils as directed by the class teacher/SENCO to develop their skills and to facilitate learners access to the curriculum

All staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are therefore involved with children who may be regarded as having special educational needs.