Building Confidence in SEND: Emma Elliott’s Journey with Realise’s SENCo Skills Bootcamp

Emma Elliott, Nursery Manager turned Deputy SENCo at Kattz Kidz Day Nursery, has strengthened her confidence and knowledge around Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through Realise’s SENCo Skills Bootcamp. She’s now helping lead inclusive practice and support children and families more effectively.

With over 20 years of experience in early years education—primarily with children under two—Emma recognised a personal gap in her understanding of SEND. Despite working closely with the nursery’s SENCo, she often felt unsure about contributing effectively to discussions and decision-making.

“Most of my experience has been with the Under 2’s room, where SEN is rarely a focus unless there’s a medical need. I wanted to build my confidence and understanding so I could better support our children and staff.”

Deciding to Do the SENCo Course

Emma enrolled in the Bootcamp to strengthen her understanding and feel more equipped in her leadership role. Her goal was to provide meaningful support to her SENCo, her team, and the families she works with.

“Although I worked closely with our SENCO, I often struggled to fully grasp the terminology and processes. I knew I needed more knowledge to provide the right guidance and support.”

Emma’s Learning Experience

Emma particularly valued the opportunity to connect with other practitioners and share real-life experiences throughout the training. Open discussions gave her practical insight into applying learning in her own setting.

“It was great to meet with other practitioners and see the variety of understanding that people have. I really enjoyed having discussions with the group and the assessors. It was interesting to hear people’s real-life experiences in working with children and families with SEND.”

She also praised the engaging style of course trainers Ian and Keeley, who made the sessions interactive and relevant.

“They really brought the sessions to life through discussion and scenarios. It helped me understand the material much more clearly.”

Impact and Outcomes

Since completing the course, Emma has taken on the role of Deputy SENCo. She now actively supports the SENCo, attends local authority training, participates in SEND cluster meetings, and contributes to discussions with parents.

“We’ve recently welcomed a new child whose parents shared concerns during the settling-in period. I’ve taken the lead on starting the support process, and I’m already putting into practice what I’ve learned. It’s made such a difference to how I approach these situations.”

Emma is also gaining experience with screening tools such as Welcomm, and is gradually building confidence to manage more of the SEND caseload alongside the SENCo.