What is a SENCo? Special educational needs coordinator explained

SENCo (pronounced “sen-koh”) is the best known SEND job title in England. If you work in FE you will hear the word often, even though it is not a job the law requires colleges to have.

What does a SENCo do?

A SENCo coordinates provision for learners with special educational needs. In schools the role is set by law and the SEND code of practice, and covers advising staff, overseeing assessments, keeping the SEN record, liaising with parents, outside agencies and the local authority, and making sure arrangements are in place. School SENCos must be qualified teachers and complete the National Award for SEN Coordination within three years of appointment.

How does the SENCo role apply in FE and apprenticeships?

Colleges and apprenticeship providers are not under a statutory duty to appoint a SENCo. The SEND code of practice expects post-16 institutions to have a named person responsible for SEND, and each organisation chooses the title. Typical titles are inclusion lead, additional learning support (ALS) manager, learning support manager or head of learner services. In a larger college the work may be split across a team.

The role matters in practice for several reasons. The person usually decides how learners’ needs are recorded, how additional learning support is allocated, and how information is shared with tutors. They normally manage access arrangements for exams, and JCQ guidance expects the centre to hold the evidence of need. They also often work with local authorities on EHCPs and annual reviews.

For apprenticeships the equivalent person may sit in a training provider’s learner support team, and must work with employers on workplace adjustments. See our page for inclusion leads.

What is a common misconception about SENCos?

One misconception is that the SENCo is personally responsible for all support. In the code of practice, the quality of teaching for learners with SEND is the responsibility of every teacher, and senior leaders and governors hold overall responsibility. The SENCo coordinates, advises and tracks. If everything depends on one person, support often fails when that person is absent.

Where can you find the official source?

The school role is described in chapter 6 of the SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years, and the school qualification requirement is in the Education (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) (England) Regulations 2008. Chapter 7 covers further education. For exam centres, see the JCQ publication Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments. The qualification requirement applies only to school SENCos.