Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) – NEST Provision
About This Role
Newhaven School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and inspiring SENCO to join our NEST (Newhaven Education Support Team) provision, based at our Gardens site. NEST is a specialist setting supporting secondary-aged students who are unable to attend mainstream education due to severe and enduring mental health difficulties. All students are supported by CAMHS, and our aim is to provide a bridge to help them overcome barriers to learning.
Working closely with the Head of NEST and Pastoral Team, you will lead on raising standards across all four areas of SEND and ensure the effective integration of SEN policy into the daily life of the provision, with a strong focus on trauma-informed practice and mental health.
Key Responsibilities
Provide a clear vision for SEN provision and lead improvements in areas such as social communication and student confidence
Ensure all statutory requirements for EHCPs and the SEN register are met and regularly reviewed
Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning strategies, including specialist approaches for students with Autism
Lead and manage complex student transitions (into, within, and beyond Newhaven)
Work closely with external agencies, parents and borough colleagues to provide holistic support
Build strong relationships with families in crisis and support SEN-related applications, including PIPs and transport
About You
We are looking for a candidate who:
Is resilient, empathetic and passionate about supporting vulnerable young people
Has a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice
Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the National Award for SEN Coordination
Has experience supporting students with mental health and social communication needs
Can effectively motivate and regulate students who may display challenging behaviour or school avoidance
Is a confident communicator, able to lead and contribute to multi-disciplinary teams (MDT)
Demonstrates creativity in developing visual supports and social communication strategies
About Newhaven School
Newhaven School is a multi-site provision supporting young people whose needs cannot be met in mainstream education.
At NEST, we focus on:
Supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing
Developing social communication and independence
Enabling students to achieve positive and ambitious futures
Our staff are committed to creating a safe, structured and nurturing environment where students can rebuild confidence and succeed.