SENCO: interview tasks

Use our suggested interview tasks for special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) candidates to help you choose the right person for this important role in your school. The tasks are based on the SENCO responsibilities listed in the SEND Code of Practice, and also include what to look for in a good candidate.

Last reviewed on 20 November 2020
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 6370
Contents
  1. Guidance on using these interview tasks
  2. Ranking the SENCO's duties in order of importance
  3. Carrying out the SENCO's daily tasks
  4. Identifying pupils' learning needs
  5. Planning provision for individual pupils
  6. Assessing whole-school SEND provision
  7. Interacting with pupils
  8. Communicating with staff

Guidance on using these interview tasks

  • This list of tasks is not exhaustive
  • Choose which tasks are most appropriate to use for your context - you don't need to set all of them
  • You'll want to adapt these tasks according to the job description and person specification of the SENCO role
  • Each task comes with suggestions on 'what to look for' in a good candidate, based on expert advice
  • Consider whether the 'what to look for' suggestions are right for your school setting, and adapt them if needed
  • Use our other article alongside this one to plan your interview questions for a SENCO

Ranking the SENCO's duties in order of importance

Oversee the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEN policy Coordinate provision for pupils with SEN Liaise with the relevant designated teacher where a looked after pupil has SEN Advise on the graduated approach to providing SEN support  Advise on the

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