SENCO Qualifications: How to Become a SENCO
If you are passionate about supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), becoming a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) can be a rewarding career choice. However, to become a SENCO, you need to have the right qualifications and training.
SENCO Qualifications and Requirements in the UK
In the UK, the qualifications and requirements to become a SENCO include:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): You must have QTS to be eligible to become a SENCO.
- A minimum of two years of teaching experience: You should have at least two years of experience working as a teacher before pursuing a SENCO qualification.
- A postgraduate certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO) (NASENCO): This is a mandatory requirement for becoming a SENCO in the UK and must be completed within the first 3 years of taking up the role. The NASENCO course must have been started before September 2024
- The NPQ is the which replaces the NASENCO from Sept 2024.
Postgraduate Courses in SENCO
Several universities and colleges in the UK offer postgraduate courses in SENCO. You can find a list of approved courses on this website.
Skills and Knowledge Required
Organisations and Resources for Additional Guidance
- NASEN: The National Association for Special Educational Needs is a UK-based organisation that provides support, resources, and training for professionals working in the field of SEND.
- The Department for Education: The UK government’s Department for Education provides information and guidance on SEND policy and practice.
- The Council for Disabled Children: The Council for Disabled Children is a UK-based organisation that provides support and resources for professionals working with children and young people with disabilities.
- SENsible SENCO: A great place full of information and growing every day, best of all it’s mostly free! (We just had to)
Becoming a SENCO requires a significant amount of education, training, and experience, but it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for those passionate about inclusive education practices and supporting students with special educational needs.
Abigail Hawkins FCCT
Director of SENDCO Solutions
Abigail Hawkins was a SENCO for over 25 years and has worked with pupils with all types of needs. Abigail has worked with Ed-Tech companies on developing their software and also been chair of governors for a multi-academy trust. Abigail now runs SENsible SENCO and SENDCO Solutions, with the aim of working with SENCOs and inclusion leaders across the UK to improve their support for SEND pupils. See our school services for more information.