Being a SENCO means more than meeting requirements. It means shaping how schools respond to difference — not as a problem, but as part of the community. If you’re wondering how to become a SENCO, the answer is clear:
In 2025, you need two things — Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the new NPQ SENCO qualification. But that’s just the start. To lead SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision, you also need sharp leadership, deep care, and the courage to stand up for inclusion. This role goes beyond admin. It’s about culture. It’s about change.
This guide shows you every step — and every skill — you need to take on this vital role.
What Does a SENCO Do? Key Role in School Inclusion
The SENCO doesn’t just help a few students. They help the whole school do better for everyone.
What is a SENCO?
A SENCO is a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. They work in mainstream schools and make sure students with SEND get the right support.
- They don’t just follow rules. They lead change.
- They write and review support plans.
- They shape school policy.
- They help teachers include all learners.
SENCOs also lead training. They talk with parents. They connect with professionals outside school — like health or social care workers. Most importantly, they speak up when something isn’t working.
“Being a SENCO isn’t just a title. It’s a call to advocate, to notice who’s falling behind, and to act.”
How to Become a SENCO: The Two Steps You Must Take
To become a SENCO in 2025, you need two things:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- The new National Professional Qualification for SENCOs (NPQ SENCO)
Let’s look at each one.
Step One: Get Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
QTS is your first step. You cannot work as a SENCO in a mainstream school without it.
Why QTS Matters
QTS proves you know how to teach. It shows you can plan lessons, manage behaviour, and help students learn. Every SENCO needs that foundation. You must understand the classroom before you can improve it. Some NPQ SENCO courses may let you apply without QTS. But without it, you can’t hold the role in most schools. It’s the legal baseline.
How to Get QTS
There are different routes, depending on your background.
PGCE with QTS
This is the most popular route in the UK. You study teaching at university, often for one year full-time. Check that your course includes QTS. Some academic PGCEs do not.
Assessment Only Route
Already teaching outside the UK? Then this route might suit you. It assesses your teaching skills directly. You need at least two years’ experience in two different schools. You must hold a degree and GCSE-level maths and English. The process usually costs between £1,500 and £4,000. You often don’t need to live in the UK to do it.
Step Two: Complete the NPQ SENCO
As of 2025, this is the only accepted SENCO qualification in England. The NASENCo has been replaced. If you start a SENCO role now, you have three years to complete the NPQ SENCO.
Why This Change Matters
The Department for Education wants SENCOs to do more than manage paperwork. They want SENCOs to lead — to change systems, not just support individuals. The NPQ SENCO is built for that. It focuses on strategic leadership, inclusion, and school-wide change. This shift shows how seriously the government now takes the role.
What’s in the NPQ SENCO? Curriculum and Content
The course includes around 90 hours of learning over 18 months, plus a short written assessment.
What You Learn
- How to create an inclusive school culture
- How to understand and apply SEND law
- How to identify needs early
- How to manage SEND provision across a whole school
- How to train and support other staff
- How to lead professional development
“The NPQ SENCO isn’t just about learning SEND terms. It’s about becoming a leader who can transform practice.”
You’ll also learn how to work with health and social care teams. You’ll study real-world case studies. The aim is clear: to help SENCOs take action — not just understand theory.
How the NPQ SENCO Is Taught
The course uses blended learning. It mixes live online sessions, self-study, and face-to-face events. You also get coaching and peer support. This fits around full-time work. The final assessment is short — a 2,000-word written case study. You’ll have 8 days to complete it. You must also complete 90% of the course to pass.
Who Can Apply for the NPQ SENCO?
You usually need:
- QTS
- Two years of teaching experience
- A Teacher Reference Number (TRN)
- School support for your application
Some providers accept applicants without QTS or without a SENCO role. But again — you must have QTS to work as a SENCO in state schools.
NPQ SENCO Cost and Funding
If you work in a state school, you can likely get full funding. That includes:
- Mainstream state schools
- Special schools
- 16–19 providers with high disadvantage
If you’re not eligible for funding, the course costs around £1,250 to £1,333 plus VAT.
What Laws Must SENCOs Know?
SENCOs don’t just follow school rules. They must understand UK law. These laws shape every part of the role.
Children and Families Act 2014
This law requires every mainstream school to have a SENCO. It says schools must identify and support students with SEND. It makes the SENCO role a legal duty.
SEND Code of Practice 2015
This code explains how to meet your legal duties. It guides you on:
- How to identify needs
- How to plan support
- How to involve families
- How to use the “graduated approach”
You must know it well. It turns law into daily practice.
The Local Offer
Each council has a “Local Offer”. It lists all services for children with SEND — from health to education to social care. SENCOs use it to connect families with support outside school. It’s part of your job to know it, use it, and share it.
SENCO Skills You Can’t Learn from a Book
You can’t lead SEND provision with qualifications alone. You need the right mindset — and practical skills that grow over time.
Top Skills Every SENCO Needs
- Empathy – You work with families during hard moments. You must listen and care.
- Leadership – You guide staff. You inspire change.
- Organisation – You track plans, deadlines, and legal duties.
- Communication – You talk with everyone — parents, staff, governors, and professionals.
- Courage – You speak up when the system fails a child.
You also need stamina. SENCOs carry emotional and legal weight every day.
Career Paths After Being a SENCO
Many SENCOs move into senior roles. You might become a:
- Deputy Head
- Headteacher
- Director of Inclusion
- SEND Consultant
- Local Authority SEND Officer
- University lecturer in SEND
The NPQ SENCO builds leadership skills. These skills open doors — in and beyond schools.
Ongoing Training: Stay Sharp, Stay Current
SEND research changes fast. Policies update. New needs emerge. You must keep learning. Groups like nasen offer:
- Webinars
- On-demand CPD
- SENCO advice lines
- In-person events like nasen LIVE
Professional development keeps you sharp. It also keeps your school compliant — and your support effective.
UK SEND System: What’s Changing in 2025?
In 2025, the UK SEND system faces big reform. The government plans:
- Less paperwork for EHC plans
- Better early identification
- More training for teachers
- More money for school SEND support
Ofsted has updated its SEND inspection framework. A new Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is also in progress.
“SENCOs are not side roles anymore. They’re leaders in a system that’s being rebuilt.”
Now is a powerful time to enter this field. You’ll help shape what comes next.
Final Thoughts: Becoming a SENCO in 2025 Means Leading Change
You asked how to become a SENCO. But maybe the better question is — why? Because the system needs you. Because inclusion is not a luxury — it’s a right. Because schools need leaders who notice what others miss.
You need QTS. You need the NPQ SENCO. But you also need patience, honesty, and the will to keep going. This isn’t just a job. It’s a responsibility. It’s about building schools that lift everyone — no matter what they bring through the door.
“To be a SENCO is to believe that every child matters — and to act like it, every single day.”
If you’re ready to lead with purpose, join our online Diploma in Special Education Needs at School of Healthcare. Step into the role schools truly need.
