SENCo advice

[LolaSmiles]

Has anyone got any experience of doing the SENCo award and/or being a SENCo?

I've had a break after maternity leave and I'm considering a change of direction. Would the SENCo course be possible if not working in a school, or only doing some supply/tutoring?

Also, is it worth pursing this line as some of my friends love it but others have been hugely stressed? I love working with students and supporting those with additional needs who are let down in the system, but don't know if trying to make the system better is a herculean ambition that will be demotivating.

I did it whilst working full time and doing the SENCO role in a primary. The school paid for it. I would have found aspects of it really quite difficult if I wasn't in the role already, particarly the essays which were based on current practice in our schools or bringing in a new initiative and evaluating it. The actual award was a huge, huge amount of work (definitely couldn't do it now I have young children) but I didn't find it difficult.

The role itself was interesting and I think a good move career wise but a ridiculous amount of work for a tiny amount of extra pay. It's about £80 a month and would work out less than minimum wage for the hours I put into it. I did work it a county that was notoriously underfunded for SEND though and where SENCOs would frequently cry in meetings begging for funding for children! That made it much harder. I work in a different, neighboring county now and can't believe how much better resourced it is.