SENCO

WHAT IS A SENCO?

SENCO stands for "Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator". A SENCO is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school's SEN policy. All mainstream schools must appoint a teacher to be their SENCO.

WHAT DOES A SENCO DO?

The SENCO will co-ordinate additional support for pupils with SEN and liaise with their parents, teachers and other professionals who are involved with them. The SENCO has responsibility for requesting the involvement of an Educational Psychologist and other external services particularly for children receiving support at School Action and School Action Plus. This also includes general SEN assessments, administration and parental support.

The SENCO should have the support of the head teacher and other teachers to try and develop effective ways of overcoming barriers to a child's learning and ensuring that they receive effective teaching through assessing the child’s needs and setting targets for improvement. SENCOs must also collaborate with curriculum co-ordinators at the school to make sure that the learning requirements of all children with SEN are given equal emphasis and priority.

At both the School Action and the School Action Plus stages, a SENCO will work with the teacher to consider the child’s needs, and will take the lead role in getting further assessment of a child where necessary, by contacting the LEA. They normally will be responsible for making a request of the LEA for a Statutory Assessment which may result in a Statement of SEN.

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