Special educational needs co-ordinator's (SENCO) national professional qualification - Updated Guidance

The Department for Education has published updated guidance to reflect that the NPQ is the mandatory qualification for Special educational needs co-ordinators  (SENCOs) as of 1 September 2024.

• All mainstream schools (including academies and free schools) must have a SENCO 
• The SENCO must be a qualified teacher, or the headteacher, working at the school
• The SEND Regulations 2014 have been amended and the NPQ is now the mandatory SENCO qualification
• The 3-year window to complete the mandatory qualification after taking up a SENCO post will remain
• SENCOs meet their statutory requirement on receiving the outcome of their NPQ

HR Customers can access updated SENCO FAQs and Guidance on our Recruitment Selection & Appointment pages of the #HR Hub.