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Our Story

Driven by Passion for a Better SEND Future
SENDirect was founded by individuals who know firsthand the challenges and hopes of raising SEND children. As parents of SEND children, the founders were deeply motivated to improve the educational landscape, ensuring that every child with special educational needs and disabilities is prepared for adulthood and the workplace.

This personal experience fuels our commitment to securing meaningful roles for SEND professionals in schools, local authorities, and alternative provisions across Essex and the SE of England.

We believe that every child deserves the best possible support to thrive in their education.

This vision has shaped SENDirect’s purpose: to place the right candidates in the right roles, making a real difference in the lives of both students and educators.

Our work extends beyond recruitment; it’s about contributing to a better, more inclusive future for all.

Our Mission: Matching Needs with Passion

At SENDirect, we are dedicated to understanding the unique requirements of each school, local authority, and alternative provision we work with. We take the time to listen carefully to the specific needs of each client, recognising that no two educational settings are the same.

Our process begins with in-depth discussions about the role, the team, and the challenges the education setting faces. We then go out to the market and pinpoint the ideal candidates. By screening applicants who meet the criteria, we aim to save our clients time, reduce frustration, and provide staffing solutions. The goal is not just to fill vacancies but to foster meaningful relationships between candidates and our clients.

We take pride in supporting both our clients and candidates throughout the entire hiring process, ensuring the perfect match for both parties and, ultimately, contributing to better educational outcomes for SEND students.

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Down syndrome girl on a computer

Our Core Values: Guiding Our Every Step

These values are reflected in every interaction with our clients and candidates. They help us create an environment where collaboration, respect, and continuous improvement thrive.
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What Makes Us Different

At SENDirect, we are more than a recruitment agency. Our commitment goes beyond filling positions—we focus on creating lasting relationships between candidates and employers, built on trust and understanding.

Our recruitment process is designed to relieve the frustrations often associated with education recruitment, such as:

  • Low application rates
  • Irrelevant applications and responses
  • Slow recruitment processes
  • Unreliable cover
  • Readvertising roles
  • Delayed projects and missed deadlines
  • Overwhelm of increased workloads

By solving these challenges, we enable our clients—school leaders, heads of local authorities, and alternative provisions—to focus on what truly matters: driving educational outcomes for SEND students.

Our personal touch means we are there every step of the way, ensuring a smooth process from initial contact to successful placement. We believe that every school deserves a strong, reliable team that can make an impact from day one.

Success Stories: Real Impact in Real Lives

Our dedication to making the perfect match has led to numerous success stories.
Here are just a few examples:

“Exceptional Service from SENDirect”
"I was apprehensive about dealing with a job agency for the first time, but Karla made the entire process seamless. She explained every step clearly and supported me throughout. Thanks to her, I found suitable temporary work that turned into a permanent role, perfectly aligned with my lifestyle and family commitments."

“A First Port of Call for Supply Teachers”
"Karla is one of the most professional and dedicated individuals I’ve ever met. She always ensures the placements are suitable, and her regular check-ins show she truly cares about both the candidates and schools she works with. I’ve recommended her to friends who’ve also had great experiences."

“Professionalism and Personal Touch”
"Having worked with Karla for over 10 years, I’ve always been impressed by her professional yet friendly approach. She has a real gift for finding the right fit for both staff and schools, and it’s why I’ve continued to work with her time and time again."

SEND teacher helping child in classroom

Our Vision: Shaping the Future of SEND Recruitment

Our vision is clear: to be the leading SEND recruitment agency in the South East of England.

We are driven by a desire to not only support educational institutions but to ensure that the next generation of SEND students has the best possible chance of success in life.

By continuing to innovate, improve our processes, and maintain our focus on building meaningful relationships, we are well on our way to achieving this goal.

SEND Woman wearing a blue blouse against a white background.

Nadine Shorten: A Trusted Advisor

At SENDirect, we are fortunate to have the guidance of Nadine Shorten, an experienced educator with over 20 years of teaching across multiple countries.

As a SENCO and educational leader, Nadine has developed deep expertise in supporting students with diverse learning needs. Her qualifications, including a Bachelor of Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching, speak to her commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.

Nadine’s insights and leadership are invaluable to SENDirect, helping us continually improve and ensure we are providing the highest quality service to both clients and candidates.

Speak with one of our SEND recruitment consultants

Book a commitment-free consultation call to discuss your needs. You'll learn more about our services, and how to use them for the maximum benefit, for your school or alternative provision.

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