The NUT believes that special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) can be effective only if they have effective management and school systems which value and empower them in this difficult and complex role.

SENCOs co-ordinate provision across the school for pupils with SEN in order to secure high quality teaching and learning and the effective use of resources to meet the educational needs of children and young people with SEN. It is recommended that a member of the school’s administration team is given suitable time and training to carry out the full range of SEN related administrative and clerical tasks.

The SEN Code of Practice provides guidance for schools on the role of the SENCO in early education settings, in the primary phase and in the secondary setting. The TTA ‘National Standards for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators’ provides guidance on training and development for SENCOs.