Mandatory qualification for SENCOs

Special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) lead and co-ordinate a school’s provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The ‘National award for special educational needs co-ordination’ document explains the qualification which every new SENCO in a mainstream school must currently gain within 3 years of taking up their post. This was published in 2014.

A national professional qualification for SENCOs is replacing the existing qualification, as announced in the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan. Teaching of the national professional qualification will begin in autumn 2024.

The ‘transition to national professional qualification’ document has more information about this new qualification and the requirements that SENCOs must meet.