What the resource is
The resource is a short video which looks at how a time management consultant and an experienced SENCO support a new SENCO in a more time effective system for handling Special Educational Needs' paperwork in a secondary school. This is a short overview and does not deal with the subject in any depth. However there are several quick win tips which would be of use to the SENCO in a secondary or in a primary setting.
The aims of the resource
The resource is part of a series on Secondary School Special Educational Needs and is focussed on looking at the paperwork and time management issues for a new SENCO. The resource follows the advice given to the new SENCO by firstly a time management consultant and then an experienced SENCO. The programme looks first at the paperwork generated by the post and suggests two templates for the SENCO.
The first to ease the recording of actions with columns Who? What action? When? What date? And then a simple system for sorting mail with the straightforward R - Refer; Action - action the SENCO deals with; File - things that just need filing and Trash - things that just need throwing away.
The experienced SENCO advises the new SENCO on provision mapping and suggests a vertical column of all the pupils with a horizontal row which gives all the existing provision. This enables the SENCO to record what support each pupil receives. The experienced SENCO suggests this reduces the need for Individual Educational Plans but doesn't explain how this will happen.
The time management consultant finishes with several recommendations on diary management and meeting management. The video ends with the New SENCO stating how these actions support her organisation and efficiency.
Key findings or focus
The key findings are giving the new SENCO ideas about the practicalities of their organisational skills and time management skills. The ideas will be a starting point for SENCOs in any phase of school. The information is not an in-depth analysis of the skills required for a SENCO.
The quality, authority and credibility of the resource
The information is provided by John Siemen who is a time management consultant and by Jean Salt who is an experienced SENCO and was Chair of NASEN.
The implications for ITE tutors/mentors
The materials are mainly of interest for someone who will be working within an SEN setting. The materials are not generic enough to be used as general information videos.
The relevance to ITE students
These materials would be of more interest within a SEN setting but are a staring point and are not a comprehensive overview of Time management.
Reviewed by:
Dr Rob Rodgers
Related Resources
The following might be useful to read in conjunction with this resource:
Related Articles
Teaching Strategies and Approaches for Pupils with Special Educational Needs: A Scoping Study: RR516 (2004)Individual education plans (IEPs)
Strategies for reducing barriers to learning
Primary Special Needs - A Day In The Life of a SENCO
Secondary Special Needs: complex special needs
Primary Special Needs: Making Inclusion Work
References
Find out more:
Using the National Standards for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators
Senco Update (webpage)
A monthly magazine published by Optimus Education
Related Articles:
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
DfES SEN Code of Practice Toolkit (2001)
