What makes SENCo different from SEND?
Individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are referred to by the acronym SEND. The person or people who work with individuals and their families who are classified as SEND are known as Special Educational Needs Coordinators, or SENCos.
What does a childcare SENCo do?
To ensure the best assistance and results for a child in an early years setting, such a nursery, a SENCo collaborates closely with the child, their family, other nursery staff, and pertinent outside organizations and specialists. This can involve setting up onsite support, coordinating specialist evaluations and referrals, assisting with an EHC procedure, assisting other staff members, and allocating resources.
What makes SENCo significant?
If other staff members have concerns about a kid, they can speak with a SENCo. A SENCo has the expertise, skills and understanding to be able to work with these children and their family’s special requirements and will assume responsibility for delivering this support. Additionally, a SENCo is able to determine a child’s special education requirements and will be aware of easy ways to assist anyone who might be waiting for an evaluation or referral.
Ofsted and SENCo
A SENCo is required since it is a component of the early years legislative framework. When conducting an inspection, Ofsted examines and inquires about SEND provisions in an early childhood setting. They may also want to review files and supporting documentation and observe how a daycare is interacting with specific children. The Ofsted inspector could want to know how funds are being used if a child is receiving them.
SENCo and protection
Safeguarding is crucial since children with SEND are seen to be more vulnerable. Unless there is a safeguarding risk, parental consent is required for any recommendations made by SENCos. For instance, a parent’s refusal to provide content may result in a child’s need or concern being ignored. Abuse or neglect may also be the cause of a child’s special needs in some cases. The proper safeguarding procedures must be followed if the SENCo and nursery workers are concerned about this.
Do all early years settings have a SENCo?
Early years settings should have at least one SENCo. It is part of the statutory framework to have a designated SENCo. Childminders will have a designated SENCo in their local area.
Care providers are not required to hold formal/accredited qualifications to be a SENCo, and in some cases, training may consist of simply following a set of guidelines provided by local authorities. SENCo guidance or training provided by local authorities will vary from place to place. Some will supply general guidelines; others may provide hubs or online training where a SENCo can update their knowledge on a more regular basis.
What should a SENCo not do?
A SENCo mustn’t make assumptions and must understand that they are not expected to know the answer to every question, particularly as every child and family’s circumstances are unique, however, there is always someone else who can help with the answer – and it’s the SENCo’s job to find this answer.
Is it possible for a SENCo to diagnose autism, ADHD, and dyslexia?
SENCos can send children for tests based on the indicators they are taught to look for, but they are unable to diagnose any conditions, including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism.
A SENCo can only express their thoughts and concerns; they are not allowed to inform a parent or carer that their child has a particular issue. In order to initiate the proper referral procedures, a SENCo will collaborate with the child’s parents or guardians to secure their consent. They will accomplish this by consulting with a variety of people, such as health visitors, pediatricians, and general practitioners, to get the necessary guidance and assistance. After a diagnosis, they will collaborate with specialists and parents/caregivers to create the best support plan for the kid.
Do parents and SENCos collaborate?
To deliver efficient and reliable care, a SENCo must always collaborate closely with parents and carers. Unless there is a safeguarding risk, a SENCo is not allowed to take any action or refer a parent without the parent’s permission. Positively engaging parents or carers with their child’s additional needs might occasionally be more difficult for SENCos. Establishing an open, honest, and trustworthy connection is a SENCo’s top duty. While some parents or carers may be reluctant to admit their kid may require more support, others may want to become engaged right away.
Is SENCo certification required?
A qualification is required in schools, but not in early childhood settings like daycare centers. However, given the wide range of special educational, physical, and other requirements they must handle, some SENCos feel that it should be.
Is it possible for a SENCo to diagnose autism, ADHD, and dyslexia?
SENCos can send children for tests based on the indicators they are taught to look for, but they are unable to diagnose any conditions, including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism.
A SENCo can only express their thoughts and concerns; they are not allowed to inform a parent or carer that their child has a particular issue. In order to initiate the proper referral procedures, a SENCo will collaborate with the child’s parents or guardians to secure their consent. They will accomplish this by consulting with a variety of people, such as health visitors, pediatricians, and general practitioners, to get the necessary guidance and assistance. After a diagnosis, they will collaborate with specialists and parents/caregivers to create the best support plan for the kid.
