SENDCo
Hours: 37 Hours Per Week
Interview Date: 23rd April 2026
Closing Date: 12th April 2026
Salary: Hay Band B (£39,152 - £44,074 FTE)
**Once you have submitted your application, please email recruitment@inspireculture.org.uk with your name, vacancy title and application reference so that we can check that your application has been received**
Inspire College is looking to recruit a SENDCo who is an inspirational and passionate champion of inclusion and who understands how SEND pupils can thrive within a mainstream classroom.
The successful candidate will:
• Have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) (or be willing to work towards)
• Hold a relevant SENDCo qualification (or be willing to work towards)
• Have experience in team leadership and the implementation of SEND policies
• Be a proven, inspirational and skilled teacher of students with SEND
• Have a clear understanding of young people’s support needs and relevant classroom strategies
• Be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of safeguarding and the SEND Code of Practice
• Have experience of reviewing local authority EHCP consultations and conducting reviews
Inspire College is a highly supportive mainstream provider with a substantial number of learners who have high or additional needs.
We operate across a number of bases in Nottinghamshire and the role involves travel to these bases along with a significant element of online communication.
This is a full-time opportunity and our working times are 8.30 – 4.00, Mon-Fri. However, applications requesting term-time only and other part-time (at least 3 days a week) will be considered.
For further information, please contact simon.cook@inspireculture.org.uk
Job Description
Job Title: SENDCo
Hay Band B
Job Purpose
The SENDCo will determine the strategic development of special educational needs (SEN) policy and provision in the college and, where required, Inspire’s adult learning offer. The SENDCo will advise the senior leadership team with a view to ensure that the needs of learners with SEND are met in line with Ofsted expectations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Be responsible for day-to-day operation of the SEND policy, quality and co-ordination of specific provision to support learners with SEND/additional needs
2. To provide and ensure provision of support to learners with SEND/additional learning needs across the Service
3. Provide professional guidance to colleagues, working closely with the management team, staff, parents/carers and other agencies
4. To support delivery of accredited and non-accredited programmes to an Ofsted ‘strong’ standard
5. To liaise with the LLDD administrator and relevant outside agencies in the application for, maintenance of, and consideration in relation to incoming referrals of, Education Health and Care Plans
6. To liaise with the Maths and English leads to provide access arrangements for GCSE/Functional Skills assessments
7. To oversee the delivery of appropriate Careers Information, Advice and Guidance in line with the Matrix standard
8. To build effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the learner journey and progression outcomes
9. To write the Ofsted Self-assessment Report for High Needs Learners and ensure that quality improvement processes are in line with the Inspection Framework.
10. The post holder will work in accordance with all Inspire policies and procedures, Inspire Brand guidelines, contractual requirements, and professional best practice.
11. The post holder will perform any duties or tasks assigned by management required to meet service needs as appropriate to the role.
Education and Knowledge Required for the role
1. Hold a relevant level 5 or above teaching qualification
2. Hold or be willing to work towards a relevant SENDCo qualification
3. GCSE Grade A to C (4 to 9) or equivalent in English and Maths
4. Understanding of DfE funded provision
5. Understanding of local authority funding in relation to High Needs Learners
6. Understanding of safeguarding and Prevent policies and procedures
7. Understanding of the Ofsted Inspection Framework for Further education and other quality standards related to effective learning delivery
8. Awareness of Health and Safety issues and legislation in relation to learning delivery
9. Understanding of Inclusion in an educational setting, Equal Opportunities policies and procedures and methods of widening participation in education.
Skills and Experience
1. Proven experience of successfully providing effective SEND strategy and support within a learning institution
2. Experience of leading a team in an education setting
3. Experience of successful curriculum design
4. Experience of using quantitative and qualitative data to strategically manage provision.
5. Experience of implementing change programmes and of project management
6. Experience of external funding, including knowledge of High Needs Funding from local authority
7. Experience of participating in Ofsted inspections
Role Dimensions
1. To act as the Inspire Learning SEND inclusion champion
2. To provide the role of SENDCo support for the service
3. To drive the monitoring and improvement of Inspire College’s SEND offer
Inspire Competencies
Customer Service (Competency Level 4)
1. Demonstrates effective customer service skills – in person, online, email or on the phone - identifies and satisfies customer needs, adjusting their style with a friendly and professional approach as appropriate for the customer, respecting confidentiality, equality & diversity and prioritises the customer over tasks where appropriate
2. Responds positively to customer concerns, acts to resolve or reassure customers as needed, agrees solutions with the customer or hands over to an appropriate colleague
3. Responds positively to any complaint or suggestion and seeks to resolve it within limits of their authority or hands over to a more senior manager as appropriate
4. Monitors, analyses and acts upon customer service data to maintain and/or improve the service. Considers the impact on customers when implementing change
Deliver the service offer (Competency Level 4)
1. Knows and/or accesses information to advise and promote the Inspire Service Offer to all customers – to meet their immediate needs and other services that could be of interest or benefit them
2. Embraces any changes to the offer and any associated changes to processes or working practices positively, takes responsibility for their own development and engages with and makes the most of development opportunities provided
3. Shares feedback about the Inspire offer with their line manager and contributes to meetings, discussions and related activities to ensure service delivery and/or improve our offer
4. Leads work to develop, enhance or create new elements of the Inspire service offer and where appropriate ensure there is an integrated customer offer and journey
Communicating well (Competency Level 4)
1. Communicates clearly and effectively in person, on the phone and in writing respectfully and in a style appropriate to the person and situation and uses and engages with Inspire’s online communications
2. Communicates effectively in a meeting or other group situation, respectfully and in a style appropriate to the group and situation with a solutions-based / can-do approach
3. Debates, positively challenges and/or discusses issues with colleagues and line manager, sharing views and acknowledging and respecting the views of others, seeks to reach agreement and respects the final decision made
4. Communicates complex information concisely and clearly using the most effective means, negotiates effectively across teams, services or with external partners and reaches agreement with all affected parties
Working together (Competency Level 4)
1. Adopts a friendly, helpful, supportive and respectful manner when working with others
2. Acts in a way that shows they are trustworthy, reliable and transparent in their dealings with others, respecting privacy and confidentiality as appropriate
3. Forms positive and effective working relationships, makes and implements decisions fairly, using good judgement and with integrity, in line with Inspire values and role modelling Inspire management and leadership behaviours
4. Forms and maintains effective internal and external working relationships across the organisation, with external partners, stakeholders and funding organisations, motivated by achieving the best for our customers and in the best interests of all concerned
Managing others (Competency Level 4)
1. Effectively supervises and supports the day-to-day activities of a colleague(s) to enable them to perform their duties, planning and co-ordinating the activity of colleague(s) to deliver tasks or activities over time to meet service demand effectively and efficiently
2. Manages and reviews performance and attendance of individuals effectively, setting goals, agreeing targets, and organises training as needed, tackling poor performance or attendance if required using Inspire policies
3. Manages their team and indirect teams effectively, empowering them to perform well, monitoring group performance against service targets and acting proactively and positively in response to performance data to ensure service delivery targets are met
4. Conducts investigations in the event of discipline or grievance fairly and respectfully, communicating findings and making recommendations ethically and in the best interest of all parties
Leading the way (Competency Level 4)
1. Incorporates the spirit of Inspire’s mission, vision and values in the work they do with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, plays their part in implementing Inspire policies and procedures and management decisions
2. Articulates and shares Inspire’s mission, vision and values to enthuse and focus the efforts of colleagues
3. Contributes to the decision-making process, stands by decisions made and owns them when implementing them
4. Makes decisions in the best interest of Inspire, its customers, staff and stakeholders that are sound, ethical, socially responsible, shares rationale for them, implements them and stands by them
Working efficiently and cost effectively (Competency Level 4)
1. Uses Inspire resources and their time effectively to meet service demand, objectives and/or targets
2. Plans ahead, making best use of time and resources available to achieve service delivery, maximising the use of technology available, minimising unnecessary travel or waste, prioritising work and working within spending limits
3. Resolves competing or conflicting demand for resources and time effectively to meet the needs of themselves, colleagues and customers
4. Manages a budget, forecasting activity and required spend, monitors service activity and actual spend and takes pro-active action to ensure budget target and/or savings targets are met
Skills and qualifications (Competency Level 6)
1. GCSE (Grades 1-31 [previously D-G]) or Level 1 Diploma (Foundation) Including: Good verbal communication skills – willing to or working towards Level 2 English and Maths
2. GCSE (Grades 4-91 [previously A-C]) Inc. English and Maths or Level 2 Diploma (1st Diploma) Including: Demonstrable IT Skills (Inspire Recruitment Activity/test)
· Use of Internet – information searching
· Microsoft Office – Basic Skills
· Good verbal and written communication skills
3. A level / A2 Level / AS level or Level 3 Extended Diploma or Level 3 National Certificate
4. Newly Qualified or working towards: Diploma or Service Specific qualification or relevant HNC
or
Experienced Qualified (3 years or more): Diploma or Service Specific qualification or relevant HNC
5. Newly Qualified or working towards: Foundation Degree or Service Specific qualification or relevant HND
or
Experienced Qualified (3 years or more): Foundation Degree or Service Specific qualification or relevant HND
6. Newly Qualified or working towards: Degree or Service Specific qualification
or
Experienced Qualified (3 years or more): Degree or Service Specific qualification
**Once you have submitted your application, please email recruitment@inspireculture.org.uk with your name, vacancy title and application reference so that we can check that your application has been received**
