What communication channels are available for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinators (SENDCOs) in Bristol.
SENDCO Sharepoint
Log in to our SENDCO SharePoint which contains a range of resources and information for SENDCOs.
If you do not already have an account you can request access.
Head teachers weekly newsletter
The head teacher's weekly newsletter aims to communicate with all leaders in education across Bristol. It includes information about educational issues, SEND and high level strategy, such as updates from the Department of Education.
This links to the Written Statement of Action (WSoA) priority 1: lack of accountability at all levels including school leaders.
Alison Hurley, The Director of Education, sends the newsletter every Monday to all head teachers. The newsletter is sent to SENDCOs by the Trading with Schools team.
If you're a SENDCO, you can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
SENDCO email list
The Trading with Schools team hold the email list of SENDCO's in Bristol. The list is used for regular updates throughout the year. It includes information about the SENDCO briefings and the conference.
This links to the WSoA priority 2.1: an agreed co-constructed plan documenting purpose and format of communications.
If you're a SENDCO, you can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
Local Offer website newsletter
The SEND Local Offer website team send a monthly newsletter. It includes information about Bristol's Local Offer website, upcoming events, and Bristol's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support (SENDIAS) service, and SEND And You (SAY). It will help you to signpost young people, parents and carers to the latest information and advice.
Sign up for the Local Offer newsletter.
SENDCO conference
The SENDCO conference facilitates networking, inspiration and strategic Continuing Professional Development.
The events have a combination of National and Local key note speakers and a range of workshops with practical strategies.
This links to the WSoA priority 2.1: a support system for education, training and skills to understand their responsibilities in relation to the SEND Code of Practice.
The conference is organised by the Educational Psychology team.
For March 2022 the conference will be in person again, at the BAWA Conference Site.
More information will be sent out by Trading with Schools via the SENDCO email list. You can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
SENDCO briefings
Regular briefings provide SENDCO's with clear information about how SEND is being implemented and supported in Bristol. They provide information from different teams supporting SEND, such as the SEN team and the Inclusion in Education Group (IEG). As well as information about processes such as Top Up funding.
The briefings are held 3 times a year, in November, February and June. They're organised by the Educational Psychology team and the SEND manager.
This links to the WSoA priority:
- 1.2: develop clear and transparent criteria for decision making processes including how SEND funding is allocated
- 2.1: a support system for education, training and skills to understand their responsibilities in relation to the SEND Code of Practice
The next SENDCO briefings will be held on Zoom:
- Wednesday 2 February 2022, 1.30pm to 3pm
- Thursday 30 June 2022, 1.30pm to 3pm
More information will be sent out by Trading with Schools via the SENDCO email list. You can sign up by emailing tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
Inclusion in Education Group
The Inclusion in Education Group (IEG) is made up of representatives across all phases and types of settings across the city. They organise development work such as the Bristol SEND Support Plan (BSSP).
To keep educational settings up to date with the IEG work, the key updates and minutes are sent to SENDCO's cluster leads after each meeting. The updates include information on the progress of groups's agreed tasks and opportunities to take part in co-production events, working groups and development work.
Nikki Dawson, the Chair of the IEG, organises the meetings 6 times a year.
This links to the WSoA priority 2.1: a support system for education, training and skills to understand their responsibilities in relation to the SEND Code of Practice.
The next IEG meetings are on:
- 2 November 2023
- 29 February 2024
- 13 June 2024
You will receive feedback after each meeting from your SENDCO cluster lead.
SENDCO cluster meetings
Cluster meetings are organised by autonomous groups of SENDCOs, who link to the Educational Psychology (EP) and SEN teams.
The groups are a networking opportunity to provide support and development. They include information about good practice, support available and general updates.
This links to the WSoA priority 2.1: a support system for education, training and skills to understand their responsibilities in relation to the SEND Code of Practice.
Cluster groups set their dates for meetings and work with the Local Authority to arrange EP and SEN input.
If you're part of a cluster and want to request an EP or SEN office to attend your meeting, email tradingwithschools@bristol.gov.uk
Find pdf contact details for SENDCO clusters (114 KB) .
Training offer
The training offer will be made available online by Trading with Schools.
It aims to provide:
- new SENDCOs with support and training
- continual professional development
It's organised across Bristol City Council teams and includes a range of delivery methods:
- webinars
- surgeries
- face to face training courses
It includes information about:
- using the Bristol SEN Support Plan
- identification and early intervention across the 4 areas of the SEND Code of Practice
- top up training
- Autism Awareness Training from the Bristol Autism Team (BAT)
This links to the WSoA priority 2.2: an early identification and assessment using a graduated response.
SEND workforce development offer for Bristol Schools
The SEND workforce development offer for Bristol Schools sets out the training and development opportunities currently available to build skills, understanding, and the confidence in Bristol schools to meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. To find out more visit the SEND Workforce Development page at Trading with Schools. For a list of all training available today, use the search term ‘SEND22'.
