The SENDCO role can feel quite isolating. SENDCOs know more than anyone in their setting about SEND, so who do they go to when they need support? Especially when new to the role, who do you turn to when tackling a problem or looking for inspiration? The Lone SENDCO answers over 300 questions that SENDCOs grapple with, whether experienced or new: How should outcomes be worded? Do I get longer to respond if I receive a consultation in the holidays? How shall I structure my inclusion department? How do I assess SEND for a child with EAL? How should I be working with my school's Careers Officer? How do I motivate disengaged learners? What do Ofsted look for in an inspection? Split helpfully into easily-workable sections, this reference book can be picked up and dipped into, whatever the priority. Whether it's organising an annual review for the first time, taking your partnership with parents to the next level or linking your work in SEND to cognitive science, The Lone SENDCO tackles the questions you have and the answers you need. Sections include: EHCPs and annual reviews, working with parents/carers, statutory compliance and legislation, strategic thinking as a SENDCO, identification and assessment of SEND, supporting transition for pupils, working with pupils, Ofsted developing my knowledge as a SENDCO, funding for SEND, teaching and learning, exam access arrangements, understanding data, tracking progress, managing a SEND register, understanding the SENDCO role, challenging decisions around placement and provision, CPD as a SENDCO, SEND as a whole-school issue, working with TAs, working with external partners, provision mapping, interventions, troubleshooting and a guide to types of need.
Gary Aubin is director of SEND for a multi-academy trust, having worked as a SENDCO in mainstream primary and secondary schools, leading an Outstanding provision. With a strong mindset of inclusion, his work as director of SEND has supported schools out of Special Measures and towards Outstanding for their SEND provision. Alongside SEND duties, he writes the SENDMatters.co.uk blog and tweets as @SENDMattersUK. He is a contributing author to Great Expectations by David Bartram OBE and wrote the Understanding the SENDCO role course for Guide Education. He has reviewed and supported improvements to SEND provision within schools in Sheffield, Portsmouth and Kent, and has presented on SEND at numerous educational conferences and events. A former pastoral leader and still a practising secondary teacher, Gary completed his Masters in Special and Inclusive Education at the UCL Institute of Education.
