Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO)


Company:	Compass Community
Salary:	£47,000 to £54,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4ES
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	6 Nov 2026
Closing date:	5 Dec 2026

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Summary

About The Role

Who We Are

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many also have additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Autism, ADHD and communication difficulties.

The work we do is varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff receive extensive therapeutic training and support.

Our child-centred approach places young people at the heart of decision-making, bringing together education and therapy professionals, parents and carers, local authority teams and students to achieve outstanding outcomes.

The Role

The SENCO role is a key position within our leadership team. We are looking for a practitioner who shares our vision and demonstrates our values in every decision, interaction and relationship with students, families and professionals.

Our SENCOs are supported by Regional Executive Headteachers, Headteachers, specialist education leaders, administration teams and compliance colleagues, allowing them to focus on improving outcomes for children and young people.

You will also work closely with a national network of SENCOs, sharing expertise and best practice across the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead and coordinate support for children with a wide range of additional needs, helping to remove barriers to learning and promote positive educational outcomes. SENCOs in our settings are hands-on, child-centred and solution-focused, spending time in classrooms and around school to observe, advise and support staff and pupils.

The role includes responsibility for Annual Reviews, EHCP processes, assessments and applications, alongside close liaison with local authorities, families and external professionals.

The Right Person

- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

- SENCO qualification such as NASENCO, PGCiPP or equivalent, or willingness to achieve this within two years

- Proven record of good or outstanding teaching practice

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

- Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice

- Commitment to inclusive and emotionally literate practice

- Understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on learning

- Experience supporting children with SEMH needs and challenging behaviours

- Ambition to progress within a growing national organisation

- Experience working with hard-to-reach or disengaged families

Benefits and Rewards

- Staff laptop and mobile phone

- Competitive salary

- Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities

- Small class sizes with specialist TA support

- Opportunity to join a growing national organisation that develops future leaders

- Enhanced occupational sickness scheme

- Flexible pension scheme

- Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision

- Employee benefits package including wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, retail discounts and savings on eating out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close vacancies early should suitable candidates be identified.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS check, or Enhanced DBS with Barred List check where appropriate, and complete all relevant safer recruitment and due diligence procedures, including social media screening.

All school-based staff are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and must work in accordance with the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times.

Compass is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences and recognise that diversity strengthens our ability to support children and young people.

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