Continuous Learning And Professional Growth For EHCP Coordinators
10 Jul, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- About continuous learning and professional growth for EHCP Coordinators.
- 7 ways for EHCP Coordinators to continue to develop, learn and grow.
- Where the latest EHCP Coordinator’s jobs are and how to apply for them.
EHCP Coordinators facilitate the process of creating and managing Education Health and Care Plan (EHCPs) for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Even when you’re a qualified EHCP Coordinator, the learning doesn’t stop there.
There are several ways for EHCP Coordinators to enhance their skills through continuous learning and there are also plentiful opportunities for professional growth in the education and SEND sector.
With experience and time, EHCP Coordinators can enhance their skills and develop their strategies to ensure the best outcome for children and young people with SEND.
Continuous learning and professional growth for EHCP Coordinators
7 ways for EHCP Coordinators to practise continuous learning and professional growth:
- Improve skills.
- Professional development courses.
- Network.
- Seek feedback.
- Research.
- Specialise.
- Be a part of the conversation.
Improve skills
It is important for all professionals to strive for self-improvement and professional growth in their careers. EHCP Coordinators are required to be organised, compassionate and patient. There are always opportunities for EHCP Coordinators to work on their weaknesses and self-improve to become better, more efficient EHCP Coordinators.
Whether it's improving negotiation, communication and advocacy skills, seeking mentorship from more experienced professionals can help you to develop new skills and refine existing ones. This could lead to more effective or efficient case management.
Professional development courses
Training and ongoing professional development in the workplace is crucial for improving understanding and promoting professional growth. When employees receive regular training, it not only enhances their job skills and knowledge, but also boosts their confidence and understanding of the industry.
The assessment and development of EHC plans involves a wide range of SEND professionals which means that regular training and courses are crucial.
The National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) offers many opportunities for training, advancement and development. Professional courses and training is a great way to help EHCP Coordinators gain new skills and improve their performance, productivity and efficiency at work.
There are many writing courses to suit different levels of experience, including in-depth EHCP writing courses for those looking for complex further training.
Network
To grow professionally, it is important to engage with other SEND professionals through online communication, social media and by attending SEND events/conferences. There are plenty of opportunities for EHCP Coordinators to develop their knowledge and understanding of the industry by collaborating on projects and learning from peers.
Chat online, seek advice and meet with other SEND professionals to ensure that you are supported and aware of opportunities for professional growth.
Seek feedback
EHCP Coordinators can seek insights and feedback from colleagues, parents, and the young people they support in order to improve their skills and enhance their professional practice.
Feedback is an invaluable tool for EHCP Coordinators to understand their own strengths. By forging a good relationship with parents, families and other SEND professionals (e.g. Educational Psychologists), EHCP Coordinators have the opportunity to discover where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
EHCP Coordinators could seek feedback from individuals or senior members of staff to enhance their strategies to better support the child or young person with SEND.
Seek feedback by scheduling meetings with parents, students and senior leaders to discuss the EHCP process and any ongoing concerns or issues. Being able to reflect, make necessary changes and act on the feedback received, can significantly enhance EHCP Coordinators practice which could lead to better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Research
Improve your skills as an EHCP Coordinator by staying up to date with changes in SEND legislation and best practices in the field. The best way to do this is to ensure you understand legislation relating to SEND, such as the Children and Families Act 2014. You must adhere to ethical practices when assessing needs and developing plans that best support the child’s education and development goals.
Stay informed, engaged and up to date and commit to doing some independent research to ensure you are aware of the way the industry works.
Specialise
EHCP Coordinators are required to have existing specialist SEND knowledge to identify and recommend support strategies for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. It is possible for EHCP Coordinators to focus their career on one area of expertise by gaining a qualification in a relevant subject.
EHCP Coordinators can choose to specialise in particular areas of SEND such as autism or speech and language difficulties to further their understanding and knowledge. By becoming experts in a specific field, EHCP Coordinators have even more opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
Be a part of the conversation
Stay involved in conversations to ensure you are updated, informed and aware of any changes, new plans or legislation. Join online communities and participate in forums and discussion groups to enhance your learning and professional growth.
SEND forums provide a wealth of knowledge and experience and are an effective way to learn from other professionals and experts in the education and SEND sector; this is essential for professional growth and development.
EHCP Coordinator jobs
If you’re searching for your next EHCP Coordinator job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit EHCP Coordinators?
As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs.
If you’re struggling to recruit, we have exclusive access to some of the most experienced EHCP Coordinators in the UK.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- South of the UK - Richard Shorrock
- Midlands & North of the UK - Adam Zyda
Discover the benefits of a national EHCP template from the perspective of an EHC Coordinator and SEN success stories behind closed doors with an EHCP reviewing officer.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
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