Early Years SENCO / SEND Lead

Early Years SENCO / SEND Lead – Full Time, Permanent
Great Expectations Day Nursery – Middlesbrough
Salary: From £26,000 per year
Job type: Full-time, Permanent
Great Expectations Day Nursery is looking for an experienced Early Years SENCO / SEND Lead to join our team on a full-time, permanent basis.
This is an important role within the nursery and we are looking for someone with previous SENCO experience who has a strong understanding of supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities within an Early Years setting.
The successful candidate will take a lead role in supporting children with additional needs, working closely with parents, nursery practitioners, management and external professionals to ensure that appropriate support is identified, implemented and regularly reviewed.
The role will include:
• Leading and coordinating SEND provision across the nursery
• Identifying and supporting children who may have additional needs
• Developing, implementing and reviewing individual support plans
• Supporting practitioners to provide appropriate strategies and interventions
• Working closely with parents and carers
• Liaising with external professionals and agencies
• Supporting referrals and requests for additional assessment or support
• Maintaining accurate and confidential SEND records and documentation
• Monitoring children’s progress and reviewing the effectiveness of support
• Ensuring the nursery’s SEND practice meets current statutory requirements and the SEND Code of Practice
• Supporting staff through advice, guidance and, where appropriate, training
• Working closely with the Nursery Manager and wider management team
• Contributing to the continuing development of inclusive practice throughout the nursery
The person we are looking for
You will need to have previous experience working as a SENCO or in a comparable SEND lead role, ideally within Early Years.
You should be:
• Knowledgeable and confident in supporting children with a range of additional needs
• Familiar with the SEND Code of Practice and Early Years SEND processes
• Highly organised and able to maintain accurate records
• Confident communicating with parents, staff and external professionals
• Able to support and guide other practitioners
• Patient, approachable and professional
• Able to work independently and use your own initiative
• Committed to inclusive practice and achieving the best possible outcomes for children
A relevant Early Years/childcare qualification would be highly desirable.
Hours and salary
This is a full-time, permanent position, Monday to Friday.
Salary: From £26,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
As the role involves working directly within a nursery environment, the successful applicant will be subject to the appropriate pre-employment and safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
If you are an experienced SENCO/SEND professional looking for an opportunity to take ownership of SEND provision within a busy nursery setting, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Work location: In person – Middlesbrough