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New NPQ for SENCOs

In March 2023, the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision improvement plan announced that a leadership-level national professional qualification (NPQ) will become the mandatory qualification for SENCOs from September 2024. This will replace the existing National Award for SEN Co-ordination (NASENCo) qualification. 

On the 22 April 2024, the DfE updated the SEND Regulations 2014. The changes come into effect from 1 September 2024. Changes to the Regulations include:​

From 1 September 2024, the SEND Regulations 2024 will supersede the SEND Code of Practice. It is the responsibility of schools to ensure compliance with the SEND Regulations 2024, and SENCOs should enrol on the relevant qualification that enables them to do so.

The DfE will continue to update the existing GOV.UK SENCO qualification page to ensure that schools and SENCOs understand the new statutory requirements.

The introduction of the NPQ for SENCOs will play a key role in achieving the DfE's ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND by ensuring SENCOs consistently receive high-quality, evidence-based training.​

NPQs are trusted, transferable qualifications designed to provide high-quality professional development, transform practice and provide the skills and knowledge needed to benefit pupils. ​

The NPQ is underpinned by a new content framework which sets out what SENCOs need to know and be able to do to fulfil their role successfully and confidently. The full NPQ for SENCOs framework can found here.

Mandatory Qualification for SENCOs:

All mainstream schools (including academies and free schools) must have a SENCO. The SENCO must be a qualified teacher, or the headteacher, working at the school.

This NPQ will be the mandatory qualification for SENCOs from September 2024, with teaching beginning in Autumn 2024. The 3-year window to complete the mandatory qualification on taking up a SENCO post will remain following the introduction of the NPQ for SENCOs.

Please refer to transition to national professional qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators for further information.

SENCOs meet their statutory requirement on receiving the outcome of their NPQ. Participants should allow up to 4 months on top of the 18 months of study to receive their outcome.

Funding​​:

  • NPQ scholarship funding to cover the course fees for this NPQ will be available for teachers and school leaders in state-funded settings in England.

Who is the NPQ for SENCOs for:

This course is for:

  • special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs)
  • teachers interested in developing expertise in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or undertaking a SENCO role in future
  • school leaders

Overview:

This 18-month course will enable you to:

  • co-ordinate special educational needs (SEN) provision throughout your school
  • work alongside other leaders to build a school culture in which pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can participate meaningfully in the full life of the school, achieve ambitious outcomes and make successful transitions to their next steps

This course will:

  • take between 18 and 22 months to complete (18 months taught and 3 to 4 months assessment window)
  • involve an average of 1 to 2 hours of study each week
  • be a mix of self-study and group sessions
  • have a written assessment
  • start in Autumn 2024

The course includes:

  • 8 topics: school culture, statutory framework, identification of need, teaching, behaviour, leading and managing provision, professional development, implementation
  • independent study
  • group coaching
  • face-to-face sessions with other participants

Assessment:

To get your NPQ accreditation, you’ll need to complete the course and pass a written assessment (between 1,500 and 2,500 words).

Apply Now: please ensure that both Step 1 and Step 2 are fully completed:

We recommend registering using a personal email address, which will reduce the likelihood of DfE and BPN emails being screened out by school anti-malware systems.

Step 1: DfE Sign Up - sign up now to register your interest in taking the new NPQ for SENCOs. You will receive an email notification when the DfE service opens (Summer 2024).

Step 2: BPN Sign Up - sign up with Best Practice Network (BPN). When completing your NPQ application form, please ensure you nominate 'HISP Teaching School Hub' as your chosen Delivery Partner from the drop-down list.

Introducing the NPQ for SENCOs with BPN

 

 

NPQ for SENCOs Interest Survey:

Click here to complete a DfE survey, which aims to understand more about those interested in the new NPQ SENCOs.