Gary Aubin

There is no handbook to being a parent. Much less being a parent of a child with special educational needs. How do you support your child in school? Where do you even begin to try and access local services? What can you expect from your local authority? Co-written by a parent who has been there and a SEND professional who understands the other side of the SEND system, this must-have book answers all of your questions and more. Focusing on the needs of your child rather than diagnostic labels, this easy-to-use guide includes suggestions that you can dip in and out of and includes explanations of language used in this book around SEND. It guides parents through situations at home, from settling at bedtime and understanding instructions, to navigating the school and the SEND system. Perhaps most importantly, it helps you understand your legal rights with practical advice for EHC Needs Assessment, accessing support and much more. When you don't know where else to turn, this dip-in handbook is packed full of useful suggestions, tips and experience. It's like the conversation with a friend you need whenever you need that extra bit of support as a parent of a child with SEND.

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.