Some careers begin with a detailed plan. Others begin with a feeling — a quiet pull toward the place you’re meant to be. For one SENDCo in Suffolk, it was the feeling that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported that shaped the path ahead.

Finding Purpose in Community

From the very start, working with children felt like the right direction. But the deeper motivation came from wanting to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families within the local community. The desire was simple: to support every child so they could flourish in their own unique way.

As teaching experience grew, so did a curiosity — and eventually a passion — for SEND. It became clear that supporting children with additional needs was not only rewarding, but transformative. The work wasn’t just about adapting lessons; it was about creating opportunities, opening doors, and building confidence where it hadn’t existed before.

Choosing Suffolk

When it came to choosing where to put that passion into practice, Suffolk stood out.
Working in an area where many families face disadvantage felt important — the kind of place where support could make a real and lasting impact.

There was a sense that by working alongside the local community, positive change could ripple outward: improving outcomes for children, strengthening families, and building a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Growing into the Role

The journey to becoming a SENDCo wasn’t instantaneous. It was shaped over years of classroom practice, moments of reflection, and the realisation that SEND was where the greatest impact could be made.

Formal qualifications provided the foundation, but it was the day‑to‑day interactions with children — the small breakthroughs, the smiles, the shifts in confidence — that truly cemented the direction ahead. Stepping into the SENDCo role felt like a natural extension of everything learned as a teacher, but on a scale that allowed influence across the whole school.

A Role Where No Two Days Look the Same

Working as a SENDCo means stepping into a world where each day brings something new.

Some mornings begin with conversations with parents, navigating worries and celebrating progress. Others are spent observing children in class, carrying out assessments, or working side‑by‑side with teachers to shape inclusive practice. There are meetings, plans to write, systems to oversee — but always, always, the focus remains on improving outcomes for children.

And that variety? That’s what makes the role so energising. Each task, each challenge, each small success contributes to something that matters.

Learning, Developing, Evolving

Over more than 13 years in education, professional development has been a constant companion.
Training sessions, mentoring, leadership opportunities, and on‑the‑job learning have all shaped a flexible, informed approach. Education never stands still — and neither does the learning required to support children effectively.

Looking to the Future

The journey doesn’t stop here.
There’s a hope to widen that impact even further in the future — perhaps across the region or beyond — sharing experience, shaping practice, and continuing to advocate for young people and the families who support them.

Challenges and Rewards

Of course, there are challenges. The biggest is often time — wanting to do more than the hours in a day allow. Supporting a whole school community can be demanding, and the pace rarely slows.

But the rewards eclipse the challenges every time.

Watching a child thrive because the right support was put in place…
Seeing a parent’s relief when their child finally feels understood…
Celebrating progress, no matter how small…

These moments are the heartbeat of the role — the reason the work feels so significant.

A Message for Future Professionals

For those thinking about entering children’s services, the advice is simple:
Follow your passion. If your heart is in it, you will change lives.

Children’s services needs people who truly care — people who see potential in every child and believe in the power of community, compassion, and connection. If that resonates, this might just be the place you’re meant to be.Enter text or patterns here…