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SENCO: requirements and qualifications

Be clear on which types of schools must appoint a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO), and what qualifications they need for the post.

Last reviewed on 2 December 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 1779
Contents
  1. Include the SENCO in your SLT structure
  2. Mainstream schools must have a SENCO
  3. Who can be a SENCO?
  4. SENCOs must have an NPQ or NASENCO 
  5. A SENCO can work across small primary schools
  6. You can appoint a part-time SENCO

Include the SENCO in your SLT structure

Ofsted expects your special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) to have sufficient authority within your school’s leadership structure to make a positive difference for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), so it’s a good idea to make them part of your senior leadership team (SLT).

See page 15 of the State-funded Schools Inspection Toolkit and read more about the SENCO's role and responsibilities in our other article. 

Mainstream schools must have a SENCO

You must have a designated SENCO if you're: 

  • A maintained school 
  • An academy 
  • A free school
  • An alternative provision (AP) academy  
  • A pupil referral unit (PRU)
  • A maintained nursery school (other early years providers are also expected to have one)

Your governing board or school proprietors (for academies and free schools) must make sure that there's a designated SENCO in place. 

Other school types are