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Advanced skills in special educational needs (SEN) and disability

Teacher with two students
All schools need staff with advanced skills to deliver improvements for children with special educational needs (SEN), and to support their colleagues in the classroom.

Special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs)

Special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) play a vital role in leading the coordination of provision for children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities in schools. The TDA developed proposals for a framework of nationally approved training for teachers new to the role of SENCO.

We consulted SENCOs in primary and secondary settings, headteachers, teachers and other school staff, local authorities and voluntary sector bodies, including those representing parents. The initial consultation helped us develop a draft specification for nationally approved training for SENCOs. We then consulted on this draft and the first courses started from September 2009.

Download the full report from the recent SENCO consultation (PDF, 209KB).

TDA-approved SENCO training providers

The TDA went out to tender in March 2009, asking providers to apply to run courses which would lead to the award of a new national SENCO qualification – the National Award for SEN Coordination. View a list of the approved training providers, or download the final specification (PDF, 111KB).

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