What is a SENCo?

The role of a special education needs coordinator (SENCo) is highly valuable in UK schools and is a teaching career that provides great job satisfaction whilst making a real difference to children’s lives. If you’re looking at becoming a SENCo or are simply interested in what the role involves, then this article will help you understand more about the role of a SENCo, the key job responsibilities and how you can become a SENCo in your school.

---

What is the Role of a SENCo?

Special educational needs coordinators – or SENCos – are an important role in all mainstream schools. In the UK, all schools must have a SENCo, whether they’re a local authority school, academy, privately-funded school or free school. It’s a highly rewarding career and plays a vital part in helping special educational needs (SEN) children to reach their full potential.

The role of a SENCo is performed by a qualified teacher and may involve working at early years, primary, secondary or further education level. You may be responsible for an individual school or work across multiple sites, such as a group of small village primary schools.

SENCos are also sometimes known as special educational needs and disabilities coordinators (SENDCo) or additional learning needs coordinators (ALNCo), depending on the setting.

As a SENCo, it’s your responsibility to be the main point of contact for parents and staff members to answer queries and offer your support and advice on special educational needs. The SENCo is responsible for identifying students’ needs, ensuring suitable provisions are in place, implementing the SEN policy and taking the lead on raising educational achievement amongst SEN pupils.

---

SENCo Responsibilities

The role of a SENCo is very rewarding and makes a real difference to children’s lives but it can also be challenging and hard work at times, so requires real passion and dedication. The key responsibilities of a SENCo include:

• Understanding the different types of learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Creating the school’s SEN strategy and policy.
• Communicating the SEN policy to other staff members.
• Leading, supporting and training staff members in SEN provisions.
• Identifying and assessing pupils’ needs and observing them in the classroom.
• Liaising with parents of SEN children.
• Building good rapport with SEN pupils.
• Maintaining accurate pupil records.
• Designing and delivering interventions in the classroom.
• Developing learning resources and strategies for SEN pupils.
• Creating and monitoring individual learning plans.
• Providing regular updates on SEN pupils’ progress.
• Making referrals with specialists and professionals outside the school if required.
• Staying up-to-date with current SEN guidance issued by the Government.

---

How to Become a SENCo

To become a SENCo in a school, whether it’s early years, primary, secondary or further education, it’s essential that you have qualified teacher status (QTS) and some previous experience of working or volunteering with SEN pupils.

To achieve QTS in England and Wales, you’ll either need to complete an undergraduate degree (in any subject) followed by a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), or complete an undergraduate degree that includes the PGCE, such as a specific Education degree that leads to a role in primary school teaching.

To achieve QTS in Scotland, you can either complete an undergraduate degree (in any subject) followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), or complete an undergraduate degree in Education that includes the PGDE.

To become a SENCo in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you’ll also need to achieve a national professional qualification (NPQ) within three years of starting in the role. This qualification is mandatory under the SEND Regulations 2014 and replaces the existing National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO).

Gaining experience of working with and supporting SEN children is a further expectation for becoming a SENCo, as this will help you develop the knowledge and real-life experience required to succeed in the role. This experience can be paid or voluntary and can be carried out alongside your Qualified Teacher Status studies. Our articles on Supporting Pupils With SEN in the Classroom and 7 Creative Exercises for Teaching SEN Children provide some further guidance and ideas for teachers.

If you know where you want to work as a SENCo, such as specifically in early years or in a secondary school, then other more specialist qualifications may also be required by the school. This depends on the particular setting and particular role, so take a look at the job description to learn more.

Our additional article on How to Become a SEN Teacher may also be of interest to you, as career progression in this role often leads to becoming a SENCo for the school. The SENCo is usually appointed to the role by the headteacher of the school, so being an existing teacher in the setting can be highly beneficial.

---

All mainstream UK schools are required to employ a SENCo to support the specific educational needs of their pupils. The SENCo has responsibility for helping SEN children to reach their full potential by putting strategies, provisions and interventions in place in the classroom, and can be a very rewarding career path to follow.

---

Further Resources:

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the Classroom
• Supporting Pupils with SEN in the Classroom: Guidance for Teachers
• Educational Bias: How to Avoid Bias in the Classroom