Guidance

Additional guidance on the mandatory requirements for SENCOs and schools

Updated 12 September 2024

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mandatory-qualification-for-sencos/transition-to-national-professional-qualification-for-special-educational-needs-co-ordinators

Mandatory qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs)

In September 2009, it became law for every new SENCO in a mainstream school to gain the national award for special educational needs co-ordinator (NASENCO) within 3 years of starting the job.

In 2024 the National Award in SEN Coordination was replaced with a leadership-level national professional qualification (NPQ). The government amended The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2024 to introduce the NPQ as the mandatory SENCO qualification from 1 September 2024.

Schools and SENCOs should consult the SEND Regulations 2014 to ensure they enrol on the relevant qualification.

National professional qualifications

NPQs are designed to:

  • support teachers and leaders to develop expertise in specialist areas of teaching practice and school leadership
  • deliver improved outcomes for schools and young people

They are designed using the latest evidence. They can be completed around professionals’ existing commitments.

The NPQ for SENCOs content framework sets out what participants should know and be able to do after completing the qualification.

Leadership NPQ courses last between 18 and 22 months, including the time to undertake assessment and receive results. Approved NPQ providers will determine the course structure, content and method of delivery.

The guidance on the national professional qualification provides further information about the delivery model, providers and the start date. You can also find out more about:

Requirements for SENCOs

SENCOs who have already obtained the NASENCO do not need to complete the NPQ. All SENCOs must complete training within 3 years of appointment. Schools and SENCOs must make sure SENCOs enrol on training that will meet this requirement. 

SENCOs appointed before 1 September 2009 are not required to take the NPQ but will be expected to ensure compliance with the regulations.

SENCOs already enrolled on a NASENCO course

SENCOs that were enrolled on a NASENCO course that started before September 2024 will be considered to have fulfilled the mandatory training requirement if they complete this within 3 years of appointment (and by 31 August 2027).

SENCOs appointed in the 2023 to 2024 academic year and aspiring SENCOs

To meet the statutory requirements for the role, SENCOs that started in post during the 2023 to 2024 academic year must enrol on an NPQ course starting no later than spring 2025.

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