Sophie Sanderson

As Head of SEND and Learning Support at Derby College Group (DCG). I am operationally and strategically lead on the implementation and delivery for all SEND and supported students. This includes key factors such as, monitoring and shaping the direction and narrative of SEND support here at DCG, operationally managing a large and diverse team, analysing and assessing the quality of provision in place, ensuring the college effectively comply with SEND law, being a key member of senior management in making strategic decisions, and effectively manage and collaborate with stakeholders to meet our legal duty as a post 16 provider.

I take a lead responsibility for overseeing High Needs Block income and expenditure to ensure effective resource deployment and meeting the needs of all our SEND students. This results in leading and implementing SEND development plans and ensuring accurate data management to analysis and ensure quality assurance in our delivery. This is led through robust continuous planning development days, operational meetings and creating our long term college vision within a 5 year cycle.

I volunteer as SEND staff governor and data protection officer to ensure the positive impact and implementation of the wider college teams. Such roles allow growth and expansion to the college in learning new skills within my effective role, and also sharing my expertise and knowledge for my colleagues and teams to grow and learn.

I worked for Lincolnshire County Council as an 'SEND Provision Manager'. The specialist educational establishment provided high level support, learning and development for all students with SEND, and or disadvantaged individuals aged 16-25. My role involved operationally and strategically responsible for Deputy Safeguarding, Teaching, Learning and Employment Lead, which included managing a diverse team whom delivered and supported hundreds of students each year.

The role was essential to ensure the successful and individualised achieved outcomes for all enrolled EHCP students to prepare them for their next steps. This was successfully delivered in partnership with multi agencies, such as, social and early help workers, CAMHS, Local Authority professionals.

I operationally lead three main provisions across Lincolnshire county, and the success of all provisions were reflected from my exceptional organisation skills, time management and effective leadership and a full Ofsted inspection, which was graded Good with outstanding features.

I worked for West Suffolk College, as a 'Positive Futures and Apprenticeship Keyworker'. My position involved managing a successful government youth programmes known as (NCS), alongside teaching and delivering a range of effective traineeship programmes. The focus of my role was to develop and a range of SEND students by enriching their personal achievements through the short course educational programmes. My key focus was to develop students capabilities in an academic and social aspect, which developed and enriched their life experiences and preparation to progress onto further education or employment.

I worked for Inspire Suffolk as a 'NCS Programme Coordinator'. My role included managing and coordinating with local schools and colleges to provide an inspiring youth programme to develop students personal independence and employability skills to develop and enhance their future aspirations.

I worked for Wetherspoons as a 'Team Leader', My role involved leading and managing a large and diverse staff team on duty to provide a high standard of customer care and service. My key focus was to ensure excellence customer service, effective deployment of staff and achieving operational targets.