THE ROLE OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CO-ORDINATOR(SENCO) IN PRE-SCHOOL SETTINGS

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi

The text explains the role of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) in pre-school settings, grounded in UK policy and legislative frameworks such as the 1993 Education Act, the SEN Code of Practice, and subsequent government programmes and acts. It outlines how SENCO responsibilities support early identification and intervention, strengthen the SEN framework, and promote inclusion. The document details expectations for implementing SEN policies, maintaining records, developing Individual Education Plans, coordinating statutory assessment, and ensuring effective partnership work with parents, agencies, and other professionals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages48

Reading Time2 h 1 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Introduction

The SENCO in the Setting

Chapter 1: Systems to Support Children with Special Educational Needs

Chapter 2: A Graduated Approach to Meeting Children's Special Educational Needs: Early Years Action

Chapter 3: SEN Reviews

Chapter 4: Working with Parents, Agencies and Professionals

Appendix 1: Tables

Appendix 2: Abbreviations Used in the Text

Appendix 3: SENCO Specifications

Appendix 4: Special Needs Courses

Appendix 5: Draft Special Needs Policy and Procedures

Appendix 6: The Role of the Keyworker in Pre-Schools

Appendix 7: Organisations Which Support Children with Special Educational Needs/Disabilities and Their Families

Appendix 8: Reference and Further Reading

THE ROLE OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS CO-ORDINATOR(SENCO)IN PRE-SCHOOL SETTINGS East Riding College Learning Resources CentresT:01262455060 E:Ircenquiries@eastridingcollege.ac.uk √ Contents PagesINTRODUCTION4THE SENCO IN THE SETTING 5 CHAPTER 1:SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH SPECIALEDUCATIONAL NEEDS 6 THE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS POLICY6Reasons why a setting requires a Special Educational Needs policy6Content of the SEN policy and procedures7Implementing the policy7Evaluation8Procedures8Drawing up a policy8RECORD KEEPING9SEN register9Individual records10CHAPTER 2:A GRADUATED APPROACH TO MEETING CHILDREN'S11SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDSEARLY YEARS ACTION11The role of the Individual Education Plan12Creating an Individual Education Plan13Reviewing the Individual Education Plan14EARLY YEARS ACTION PLUS14Individual Education Plan reviews15STATUTORY ASSESSMENT15Roles and responsibilities of specific individuals/professionals17STATEMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS19CHAPTER 3:SEN REVIEWS21INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN REVIEWS21ANNUAL REVIEWS22 14 DAY BOOK | ast ag Colege
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14DAY | CHAPTER 4:WORKING WITH PARENTS,AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONALS23PARENTS23Links with parents23Keeping parents informed23LINKS WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS24APPENDIX 1:TABLES25TABLE 1A:SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN)REGISTER26TABLE 1B:SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN)REGISTER27TABLE 2.1A:INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN28TABLE 2.1B:INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN29TABLE 2.1C:INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN30TABLE 2.2:GRADUATED RESPONSE TO SEN31APPENDIX 2:ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE TEXT32APPENDIX 3:SENCO SPECIFICATIONS33KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING33EXPERIENCE33SKILLS33APPENDIX 4:SPECIAL NEEDS COURSES34APPENDIX 5:DRAFT SPECIAL NEEDS POLICY AND PROCEDURES35APPENDIX 6:THE ROLE OF THE KEYWORKER IN PRE-SCHOOLS37APPENDIX7:ORGANISATIONS WHICH SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL39EDUCATIONAL NEEDS/DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIESAPPENDIX 8:REFERENCE AND FURTHER READING45 # Introduction The special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO),a creation of the 1993 Education Act andthe Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs (SEN)(DfEE,1994),has specific roles to play to enable educational settings to meet children's specialeducational needs.The Government's Green Paper Excellence for All Children:Meeting SpecialEducational Needs (DfEE,1997),the Special Educational Needs Programme of Action (DfEE,1998),the SEN Code of Practice(revised)(DfES,2001),the SEN and Disability Act 2001,and theEarly Years Development and Childcare Partnership(EYDCP)Planning Guidance 200112002(DfEE,2000)all indicate what the role of the SENCO should be. The Government's Green Paper Excellence for All Children:Meeting Special Educational Needs(DfEE,1997)put raising educational standards and creating an inclusive society for all children,including those with SEN,at the heart of Government's education policies.The SpecialEducational Needs Programme of Action(DfEE,1998)was drawn up to make the vision of theGreen Paper Excellence for All Children:Meeting Special Educational Needs a realityGovernment's aim is to encourage children with special educational needs to reach their fullpotential(DoH,2001).The SEN Programme of Action is committed to the following: Improving early identification and intervention ● Supporting parents and carers ● Improving the special educational needs framework ● Developing a more inclusive education system ● Developing knowledge and skillin special educational needs ● ●Working in partnership with parents and allrelevant agencies(statutory and nonstatutory). The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001): Strengthens the right of children with SEN to be educated in mainstream settings ● Requires local education authorities (LEAs)to provide parents/car

FAQs

What is the SENCO’s purpose in pre-school settings?

The SENCO enables educational settings to meet children’s special educational needs by coordinating SEN initiatives and ensuring responsibilities for SEN and equal opportunities are implemented in practice.

Which policy documents shape the SENCO role?

The role is described through the 1993 Education Act and the SEN Code of Practice, along with government programmes such as Excellence for All Children and later SEN and Disability legislation and early years planning guidance.

What responsibilities must the SENCO carry out in the setting?

The SENCO is responsible for liaising with parents and professionals, advising and supporting practitioners, ensuring suitable Individual Education Plans exist, and collecting, recording, and updating relevant background information about children with SEN.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi