Job Description

SENDCo (Primary SEND School - SEMH, trauma, ADHD, Autism)

Location: Fishponds, Bristol

Start date: 1st September 2026

Hours: Full-time, 8:30am - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday

Type:  Temp to Perm

Salary: £32,916 - £51,047.36 (paid daily during temp period)

Contract: Full-time (term time + INSET; flexible by agreement)

Lead with purpose. Transform lives.

Elmtree Grove School is seeking a passionate and skilled SENDCo to join our specialist provision for primary-aged learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND SEMH, trauma, ADHD, Autism).

This is more than a coordination role — it’s a chance to shape provision, influence whole-school practice, and make a lasting difference to children who need it most.

About the Role

As SENDCo, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, leading and coordinating SEND provision across the school. You’ll ensure every pupil’s needs are understood, planned for, and met through high-quality, individualised approaches.

You’ll work at the heart of a multidisciplinary network — collaborating with families, local authorities, and external professionals — to create stability, progress, and positive outcomes for every child.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leading SEND provision across the school in line with the SEND Code of Practice

Overseeing EHCPs, annual reviews, and liaison with local authorities

Driving high-quality, personalised provision for pupils with complex needs

Supporting and developing staff in inclusive and trauma-informed practice

Working closely with families to build strong, trusting partnerships

Coordinating multi-agency input (e.g. Educational Psychologists, SALT, Social Care)

Contributing to safeguarding, behaviour support, and pastoral planning

Line managing and developing the Learning Support team

Monitoring the impact of interventions and ensuring accountability

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who combines expertise with empathy — a leader who is both strategic and hands-on. A ‘team player’ who cares passionately about the life chances of young people.

Essential:

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent

Fully Qualified Teacher (induction passed)

National Award for SEND Coordination (or willingness to achieve)

Strong experience with complex SEND and/or SEMH

In-depth knowledge of EHCP processes and SEND legislation

Experience working with external agencies and local authorities

A calm, resilient and solution-focused approach

Desirable:

Experience in a specialist or independent setting

Training in trauma-informed or therapeutic approaches

Why Join Elmtree Grove School?

Every Child, Every Opportunity, The Right Opportunity

Our approach is to offer a bespoke and relevant learning program for each learner. Integration into standardised education opportunities and social integration is everything we do. No child should have their future negatively affected or be excluded in their later life due to the lack of access or support for education opportunities that are appropriate to their abilities & strengths.

We believe strongly in people and look for people that have:

Education-relevant qualifications in supporting teaching & learning

good experience in supporting young people in an education setting

understanding and expertise in supporting learners with SEND

skills & strategies in supporting emotional wellbeing

tenacity & resilience to manage, influence & effect positive behaviours & decisions in learners

the ability to present a strong role model for young people, including having fun!

collaborative and pro-active working practices

a strong sense of responsibility & work ethic

Working with our organisation is a rewarding experience. We offer an enjoyable workplace with additional employment benefits for our permanent staff colleagues:

Bright HR - online HR management portal also offering partner discounts

Private Healthcare (Vitality)

Employee Assist - independent healthcare perks

Free training - role specific & relevant, accredited training

Employee Support Assistant - dedicated colleagues to coach & support our employees

Pension scheme (not currently teacher pension scheme)

company celebration events

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re driven by purpose and committed to inclusive, child-centred education, we’d love to hear from you.

Application/interview schedule:

Closing date  1st June 2026

Shortlisting 3rd June 2026

Interviews week commencing 8th June 2026

Apply now and be part of something meaningful.

Applications are welcomed from candidates that meet the vast majority of the above job & person criteria. We also recognise that many people who are interested in such a role may not have specific experience as detailed so we would still welcome an application from those that have substantial experience of supporting young people with SEND or other challenges in education.

All applications will be managed by Elementa. Successful applications will have a full-prescreen, interview, ‘insight session’ and visit to one of our Alternative Provision sites. Any (permanent) appointment will be subject to a successful interview process, satisfactory references, DBS Enhanced Disclosure (which may be chargeable at £64.20 unless you have a DBS subscribed to the Update Service) and successful completion of employment trial period.

Please apply with your full up to date CV. All applicants will be promptly responded to