AskaSendCo

AskaSendCo

Special Needs Co-Ordinator in London, Surrey and West Sussex

Welcome to AskaSendCo

Seeking advice on your child's education? Looking for help with your SENDCo role? I can help

20+ years experience as a SENDCo 

Hi, I'm Julie. I am a qualified teacher and Special Needs Co-Ordinator with experience in both Secondary and Primary sectors, in and around London, Surrey and West Sussex. I work with families who are seeking advice regarding their child's Special Educational Needs, as well as with SENDCos who are new to the role or simply looking for support. For the last 20+ years I have worked as both SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead. I have experience in a variety of settings - teaching and supporting Adults, Children and Young People. I have PGCE TESOL; Masters in Applied Linguistics; L3 CACHE in Counselling Skills, and hold a current Enhanced DBS.

Testimonials

"Thank you for being a cheerleader for my son, and offering good advice to me. You always support families in particular those with SEN, and you do it with a sense of calm and empathy".


S.D. Crawley July 2023



“Julie has been such a great source of help. She provided me with valuable information about the EHCP and helped me to complete the difficult assessment form. She also provided me with information on different groups and organisations that can assist me. I really wasn’t sure what I needed to do before … and now… I feel more confident in ensuring I'm getting the appropriate support for my child”.


D.W. Lewisham, June 2023

I am a new trainee SENCO, hoping to start my NPQSENCO in November. I was seconded for a year to cover an Infant and Junior School , both with high need. Despite the brilliant support of my colleagues, when it came to helping my SEND children, I really struggled with the funding side of getting support. From the offset, Julie was supportive, kind and professional. She appreciated my situation, acknowledging how hard I was trying. She took time over the phone, via Teams and email, to ensure I could ask anything and even checked over my additional funding requests. Thanks to her, I am hopeful I can get more support for my most vulnerable. I cannot praise, or thank, her enough.


H.Pennicott, SENDCo, June 2024

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help so far... I think today is the first time I really felt heard…. as you know I have really not had much help from the doctors, but today I walked away feeling like he might actually get the support he needs, which I’m honestly so grateful for”.


E.P. Crawley, Dec 2022

“Thank you Julie...It's been a minefield understanding EHCPs, EHCNAs but your support has helped us with paths to take. What's been particularly important is the empowerment you've given us with challenging decisions that could be made by the local authority”.


G.C. and V.C. Crawley, Nov 2023


Initial Consultation

In an initial Consultation I offer a free initial 15 minute telephone consultation. You will be able to explain exactly what you are looking to achieve. I will be able to tell you how I can help, or signpost you if not.


Follow-up consultations may be by phone, online or in person, enabling us to work closely together. Working with parents who are seeking advice, services I offer include:

-informal assessments of need, including review of reports available

-advice as to the support potentially available within school resources

-guidance as to the feasibility of a successful EHCP application

SENDCo In London

-help with completing forms, such as DLA applications

-supporting letters, for example regarding housing

-referrals to specialists, or signposting regarding this

-matching your child's needs to educational resources usable within the home environment

-support with navigating local authority websites with regard to SEND

I am also passionate about helping newly qualified SENDCos navigate their way through the complexities of the job:

-completing referrals

-paperwork for EHCP applications

-assessing children with SEND including those with EAL

-identifying and assessing stages of development

-action planning - prioritising need

-maximising your SEND Budget

-using TAs effectively

-creating and reviewing the SEN register

-writing an action plan

-accessing available resources

- referrals and links to the local authority

Typically an initial meeting will be approx 1 or 1.5 hours. Travel time to your home will be costed as an extra depending on distance..

SendCo in West Sussex

Working Together

What support is, or should be, available within a mainstream school, is not always easy to fathom. I am familiar with the pathways to follow, and the thresholds of need, relevant to children and young people with Special Educational Needs. Advice as to the feasibility of obtaining an EHCP, as well as of the many options available within school resources without an EHCP, is invaluable.

I can come to your home, to discuss your concerns, meet your family and to review paperwork, or we can talk online or by phone. Sometimes a child may need just a gentle boost in order to achieve to their potential - I can suggest educational options to support your child within the home environment or signpost you on to other organisations. I have completed training in Sleep Management, and Teaching Children with Dyslexia.

I work with children with a range of needs: with or without a diagnosis such as ADHD, ASC or with Speech and Language Delay. I am familiar with the process of language acquisition for both first and second-language speakers and can help identify if a child has SEND, or is a developing second-language learner.

SENDCo in South London

My Location

I am based in Surrey and can travel to families in and around Surrey, West Sussex, and South London. I can come to your home, to discuss your concerns, meet your family and to review paperwork, or we can talk online or by phone.

Let's Get Started

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I work, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to see me, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right person to help. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.


All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

FAQ

What does a SENDCo do?

A SENDCo usually works for, and usually within, a school or college and is the go-to person for all questions regarding Special Educational Needs. They apply for funding, help parents and carers with referrals for obtaining diagnoses, ensure provision for SEND within the educational establishment and support transition to other educational settings.

What other services does a SENDCo offer?

Other support services include: assistance with applications for DLA; signposting to services outside of education such as support groups, Portage, Sleep Nurse referrals; help with form-filling, The set-up for applying for funding for CYP with SEND does vary from borough to borough but there are enough similarities to be able to advise, signpost and support across boroughs.

I don't really know what my child needs - they haven't been seen yet by a professional

You don't need to have a diagnosis - that will come in time if needed. If you want a friendly and experienced ear to listen to your concerns, please email and I will get in touch!

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