If you are a SENCO or you work with one what do you/they do?

[notsoteenagemum]

I ask because I have serious doubts about the one I work with.

They deal with all SENCO related stuff.

Is there anything specific?

She seems to sit in her office making notes about the children but rarely does anything with them to make notes on.

There is a list of children she should take for focus each day but to my knowledge has only taken them twice.

I have sat through two review meetings with her taking praise for and talking about physio we (her and myself) do, when the reality is I do it by myself.

Today we went on a trip with some children assessing how to adapt it for some of the children with mobility issues and behavioural problems.
She basically decided as soon as we set foot off the bus to not bring them, even though there was a lot we could have done. I feel sad and annoyed that these children will miss out.

I could go on.

Do you have an area SENCO that you could chat to?
Or the manager/playleader?

We don't have many additional/special needs children so I am not much use, but I know our old SENCO used to implement IEPs for children, and do quite a lot of obs on then re speech.

I don't know who to speak to really, I've never met any kind of area SENCO.

She is very good friends with the head, they've worked together for years, and don't feel I could speak to her.

We are one of the only resourced place nurseries in the area, and we do a lot of good work with the children who have special needs however I feel it's because of the hard work of the support workers, nursery nurses and teachers.

Are you in a nursery school or a day nursery /pre school?

Hi ya notsoteenagemum
You are right to be concerned about what you are describing about the trip you went on. Your SECO?s behavior was blatant discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. It is not for her to make a blanket decision as to what she thinks is best for any disabled child. There are guide lines such as the Special Needs Code of Practice (SEN COP) and ?The SEN Tool Kit to help guide any SENCO in their statuary duties. I run training courses for school/SENCOs/heads in the DDA and I also work for as a volunteer for Independent Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA) and I see firsthand what happen when discrimination ends up in a tribunal case. I think you should seek out your area SENCO and express your concerns. If you are not sure where to find your area SENCO your LEA will know so contact them. Also you might want to ask about training that is available as your organization will have a budget for this. I think the SENCO in your job is in desperate need of some but if you just suggest it in general then she could go also. If you need any more information you can fine me at www.inclusivechoice.com

MRZ I'm in a nursery school.

Thanks boojess,
The trip was the final straw really, I was so cross.
Theres a general feeling among the staff that the Headteacher and SENCO are just bumbling along until they retire in a couple of years.
I am trying to track down the area SENCO now.

My SENCO is a bit like that in the school I work with. She is quit litrally all talk and NO action.

I'm a SENCO and would hope none of the staff in my school think that about me. I am also the reception teacher so don't have an office to sit in as I spend most of my week teaching and the rest supporting staff children. Paperwork often gets done in my own time.

As a school we don't have area SENCOs but I know PVI settings have them for support.

Our Senco doesn't do anything

They say sencos are teachers who can't teach

Thanks kittywise

In a pre-school setting, the SENCO should liaise with with the various agencies that the SN children have input from ie SALT, physio, OT. They should also be working with the Early Years SN teacher from the local council who really should be overseeing the work of the SENCO. Could you find out who this person is?

I seem to keep missing everyone sorry.

mrz I'm surprised that you are the reception teacher and the SENCO.
If I beleived my SENCO she barely has time to breathe she is so busy and could never find time to do anything else, like actually work with the children.

cktwo she does liase with SALT, physio etc, she is very good at nodding sagely during meetings and writing copious notes. It's just that she doesn't do anything else. I recently asked for help with some points on a little boys IEP, I said I'm struggling to meet some of his needs by myself, "her reply was never mind I'm sure you'll muddle through"

kittywise are you in a nursery school too.

The senco at my kids school is hopelessly ignorant about DS and his needs

As is the special needs support teacher

And the headmistress of the school

All 3 hopelessly ignorant about children with Aspergers

So sorry to say it notsoteenagemum but your senco concerns dont surprise me at all

Many many schools have SENCOs as teachers this is beacuse quite simply they can't afford the luxury of a SENCO. Our SENCO however is no use or orniamnt!!!! She is employed 3 days a week and nothing is ever done and there is no support for 1-1s or teahcers struggling with a child. .

I am sad for you and your son Yurtgirl.
I don't know why people work in support/caring roles if they don't actually care.
I really thought hard when I was offered the job as support worker. I had had minimal experience of working with children with SN and didn't want to 'get it wrong'. I am annoyed that other people obviously haven't put the same thought into their work.

Tis sad I agree notso!
It is lovely that you care about the children you work with - I have no sensible advice to offer about your situation though, but you are certainly not alone

Thankyou Yurtgirl, I consider myself lucky to work with them.

I'm shocked with how many people seem to have a similar experience.
mrz I am sure you do a fantastic job, I'm sure kitty wasn't referring to you.

Must go to bed before dh returns from the pub and finds me still on mn.

notsoteenagemum I don't know a single primary/nursery school in my area that has a SENCO who isn't also a full time class teacher. I get time out of the classroom for meetings with other professionals /parents and catching up on paperwork but the bulk of my SEN work is done in my own time after the children leave.

I work with my Senco every day, in an Infant School with attached Nursery.

She is not a full time class teacher, she is a full time Inclusion Manager, but does cover a class if necessary.

I'm shocked at what a bad press Senco's are getting on here as ours is fab, so proactive, has a really good understanding of the children and their needs, and gets stuff implemented quickly.

I do know of a school where the head is the senco and a good job she makes of it too so say the parents i have spoken to.

It used to be common practice for the head to also be SENCO in nursery/infant/primary schools but this is now considered to be bad practice as when it comes to budgets there can be a conflict of interests.

I guess though with SENCOs teachers, head teachers TAs and 1-1 supports realy it is just the luck of the draw.