Introduction to Tracy Bakonyvari - Early Years SEND Advisor
I'm Tracy Bakonyvari. I am an Early Years SEND Advisor at Southend City Council. I advise and support Early Years settings to help children with SEND. I also support families who have a child with SEND, advising them on strategies to help their child's development. I also help them find suitable education settings when needed.
How did you get into your current career?
I am a qualified teacher. I worked in mainstream and special schools and found my passion for supporting children with additional needs. I joined the council 6 years ago and completed my SENCo qualification whilst working as an SEN Case Officer on the school age team.
I then applied for this role. It was a great opportunity to work more closely with families and children, and train settings and provide support groups and courses for families in the area. It's great to support children and families in the early years which is such a crucial stage.
Tell us about an average day
My days are very varied. A mixture of visits to schools, training and support sessions, team meetings, completing observations of children in their home or at nursery, competing Education, Health and Care Plan paperwork and supporting with this process for families on my caseload, monitoring and planning for school transitions and contacting families and settings to answer any queries they have. Every day is different and a mixture of being in the office and out and about.
What is the most challenging thing about your role?
There aren't enough hours in the day. I'd love to have more time with each family, setting and child.
What do you love most about your job?
So many things! I love training, and planning support groups and sessions for families, as you can see the direct impact. I feel very lucky to work in such a supportive team and have fun with some amazing children as part of my work.
If you could change anything about your job or SEND services, what would it be?
I would like to have more time to plan and deliver training and support groups, as this is something I really enjoy. I'd also like to have more time to help people.
When you aren't at work, what are you doing?
I love to try new things and always take an opportunity to go somewhere I haven't been. I love Zumba and boxing classes and try to go 3 times a week. I love to shop and go out for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea and generally enjoy all that life has to offer. I also enjoy baking and never turn down a chance to go dancing!