What is a SENCO?

A specialist Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is a teacher who is responsible for the special educational needs of students in a school. This includes children and young people with a disability.

How they can support

Their role is to ensure that all students have the necessary support to continue learning at a similar pace to their peers, they may work directly with the students and the staff that support and work with them. They also have a role to work with parents and carers to ensure that they are aware of what support has been put in place and to update them on the student’s progress and needs.

Where they are based

SENCOs are based in schools, how they are organised will depend on the size of the school and/or the number of students with specialist educational needs (SEN). The school may have a designated SEN team or it may be a teacher or a deputy head that has this responsibility.

How to contact them

Every school in the UK must employ a SENCO. To find out about the local school provision, speak to a teacher, deputy head, head teacher or school office.