SENDCo

SENCO – Specialist SEMH School

Permanent | Full-Time
Location: Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Start Date: September 2026

Salary: £32,916 to £51,048 per annum (M1–UPS3), dependent on qualifications and experience

⏰ Closing Date: Thursday 7th May at 12pm
Interviews: Wednesday 13th May (venue to be confirmed)

We are working with a brand-new specialist school opening in Autumn 2026. This setting will provide a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environment for children and young people aged 5–19 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

With a small cohort and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, the school is designed to be a safe, enriching and aspirational place where every learner is supported to thrive.

We are now seeking a dedicated and experienced SENCO to lead and develop provision for pupils with complex and special educational needs.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a SEN provision from the outset within a specialist SEMH environment, working closely with staff, families and external professionals to ensure every student reaches their full potential.

The Role

As SENCO, you will play a central role in delivering high-quality, inclusive education across the school. You will lead statutory processes, support staff development and ensure SEN provision meets both regulatory requirements and best practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Promoting an inclusive, whole-school approach to SEN
• Leading Annual Reviews and managing EHCP processes
• Liaising with local authority coordinators and external professionals
• Supporting and advising teaching staff with specialist strategies
• Monitoring the quality of SEN teaching and learning
• Overseeing assessment, data tracking and reporting
• Delivering CPD and INSET focused on SEN best practice
• Contributing to strategic planning and whole-school improvement

Skills & Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

✔ Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and PGCE (or equivalent)
✔ A recognised SENCO qualification (or willingness to complete within 3 years)
✔ Experience supporting pupils with SEN, ideally in a specialist or SEMH setting
✔ Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and safeguarding
✔ Excellent communication, leadership and organisation skills
✔ A collaborative, creative and child-centred approach

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact and help develop a specialist SEN provision from the very beginning.

Additional Information

• Teachers applying on the Upper Pay Scale must provide evidence of existing UPS status
• Upper Pay Scale roles will include clearly defined whole-school responsibilities following induction
• Ongoing CPD and structured performance management will be provided 

Successful applicants are subject to enhanced safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and applicants will be required to declare all convictions and cautions unless protected.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and is an equal opportunities employer.

Please note: shortlisted candidates may be subject to an online search as part of safer recruitment practices.

If you’re an experienced SENCO, we want to hear from you - apply today!

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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