What Are the Key Responsibilities of a SENCO? – New SENCO Basics

7 Apr 23

What Are the Key Responsibilities of a SENCO? – New SENCO Basics

7 Apr 23

What Are the Key Responsibilities of a SENCO?

As a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), you play a vital role in ensuring that students with special educational needs receive the support and resources they need to succeed academically and personally.

Here are some of the key responsibilities you will have as a SENCO:

Coordinating Support and Resources

One of the main responsibilities of a SENCO is to oversee and coordinate the provision of support and resources for students with special educational needs. This involves working closely with teachers, parents, and external agencies to identify and assess the needs of students with special educational needs, and to provide the necessary support to help them achieve their full potential.

Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Learning

As a SENCO, you will collaborate with teachers to identify and address any barriers to learning that may be present for students with special educational needs. This may involve modifying classroom materials or instructional techniques to make the curriculum more accessible for a student with a particular learning disability, or ensuring that necessary accommodations, such as assistive technology or specialised transportation, are in place for students with physical disabilities.

Promoting Inclusive Education Practices

Another key responsibility of a SENCO is to promote inclusive education practices throughout the school. This may involve providing training and resources to teachers on how to create a more inclusive classroom environment, or advocating for changes to school policies and practices to ensure that they are inclusive and equitable for all students.

Advocating for the Rights and Needs of Students with Special Educational Needs

SENCOs also play an important role in advocating for the rights and needs of students with special educational needs, both within the school and in the wider community. This can involve building partnerships with external agencies, supporting parent advocacy, and working with students to empower them to advocate for themselves.

Working with Parents and External Agencies

As a SENCO, you will work closely with parents and external agencies to identify and assess the needs of students with special educational needs. This may involve collaborating with external agencies, such as speech therapists or occupational therapists, to provide additional support for students with special educational needs, or working with parents to develop effective support plans for their children.

Violet is seated at a desk, deeply engaged in a meeting with a parent and an external agency representative, discussing the support plan for a student with special educational needs. She has her glasses on and is thoughtfully pointing to a document with notes on accommodations and interventions. In the background, you can see a whiteboard with key terms like "Inclusion" and "Support Plans" written on it, emphasising her coordination role. The setting is professional, with Violet confidently leading the conversation, symbolising advocacy and collaboration.

Providing Training and Resources to Teachers

SENCOs also provide training and resources to teachers to support inclusive education practices. This may include workshops or seminars on topics such as differentiation, assessment, and accommodations, or providing teachers with access to resources such as assistive technology or specialised teaching materials.

Ensuring that All Students with Special Educational Needs Have Access to the Same Opportunities and Resources as their Peers

As a SENCO, your primary responsibility is to ensure that all students with special educational needs have access to the same opportunities and resources as their peers. This involves working closely with teachers, parents, and external agencies to identify and address the unique needs of each student, and to provide the necessary support to help them achieve their full potential. By promoting inclusive education practices and advocating for the rights and needs of students with special educational needs, you play a critical role in creating a more equitable and accessible educational system for all students.

These are just a few of the key responsibilities that come with being a SENCO. While the role can be challenging at times, it is also incredibly rewarding and offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of students with special educational needs.

Abigail Hawkins FCCT

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.

Need Extra Support as a New SENCO? 🌟

Starting out as a SENCO can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Mentoring Programme, led by Abigail—an experienced SENCO of over 25 years—offers supportive, 30-minute online sessions designed to answer your questions, discuss challenges, and share insights tailored to your journey.

Get started with a free, no-obligation session to see how we can support you as you build confidence and skills. Book your first session below and step into your SENCO role with expert guidance at your side. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out!