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SENCo Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 5 November 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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4 min read

A Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) is responsible for providing school children with disabilities and special educational needs with the support required to help them complete their education. Their duties include supervising the teaching of children with disabilities and special educational needs in classrooms, training teachers to work with disabled students and identifying children with special educational needs.

SENCo duties and responsibilities

SENCos are responsible for ensuring that children with learning difficulties and disabilities have the opportunity to reach their full educational potential, despite the challenges they face. SENCos have a mixture of teaching duties and leadership responsibilities. Their main duties and responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring that school policies and procedures are in line with the latest governmental SEN policies and regulations
  • Making sure that school Teachers have the knowledge and skills to carry out SEN policies and to teach children with special learning requirements to a high standard
  • Ensuring that the school is equipped with adequate equipment and facilities for special educational needs, including wheelchair accessibility and audio-visual learning aids
  • Preparing and leading SEN training for Teachers and Teaching Assistants
  • Assessing the specific educational needs of children with learning disabilities and providing recommendations for their support
  • Producing regular reports and updates on the educational progress of children to Senior Teachers and parents
  • Providing one-on-one teaching support to children with learning difficulties in the classroom
  • Providing referrals for children to receive support outside of school hours, from Therapists, Medical Specialists or Tutors

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SENCo Job Description Examples:

Example 1

We are seeking a dedicated Nursery SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) to join our team at our busy, vibrant all year nursery setting. The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting children with special educational needs and ensuring inclusive practice within the nursery environment.

Working hours would be:

12 hours per week, all year

*or*

12 hours a week, over 45 weeks (to include school summer holidays)

These would be worked in a shift pattern between 7.15am-6.15pm, as agreed with the Playcentre Manager

Duties:
- Develop and implement individual education plans for children with special educational needs
- Provide support and guidance to nursery staff on best practices for supporting children with diverse needs
- Collaborate with external agencies, parents, and carers to ensure holistic support for children
- Monitor and track progress of children with special educational needs
- Conduct regular assessments and reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
- Deliver training sessions to staff on strategies for supporting children with additional needs
- Create a nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes the well-being and development of all children

Requirements:
- Qualified in Early Childhood Education or relevant field
- Experience in working with children with special educational needs, including behaviour management and speech therapy
- Knowledge of SEN Code of Practice and current legislation surrounding special educational needs
- Strong communication skills to liaise effectively with parents, external agencies, and colleagues

If you are passionate about providing high-quality care and education to all children, including those with special educational needs, we would love to hear from you.

Visits to our nursery are welcomed and further information can be provided prior to application if required.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £11.99 per hour

Expected hours: 12 per week

Benefits:
  • Childcare
  • Company pension
  • Employee discount
  • Free parking
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends



Application question(s):
  • Do you hold a Level 3 qualification in Early years/Childcare?
  • Do you have knowledge/experience of working with children with SEN?
  • Do you have experience of working within a play-based setting?
  • Do you hold a SEN Location: In person

Example 2

Primary SENCO teacher/ Byfleet area / Surrey

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced SENCO Teacher to work 2 days a week at a local primary school from January 2023 for 1 term.

Are you looking for a new challenge in a supportive primary school?

Are you a committed and passionate SENCO?

Do you have a creative and proactive approach?

A warm and reputable primary school within the Byfleet area are seeking to appoint a SENCO to start work /January for 1 terms

The Head Teacher is looking for:

  • QTS
  • Confidence
  • Experience in SENCO
  • Good behaviour management skills
  • A real desire to make a positive difference to the pupils that you work with.
  • Good written and oral communication skills.

The position is part time

In return, the senco will have the opportunity to work with a fantastic team in a fun and welcoming and supportive environment.

Class Cover are looking for qualified Primary and secondary school teachers to cover day-to-day and short-term supply in local Schools in and around Surrey areas

Class Cover are one of the Southeast's leading providers of supply teachers and teaching assistants. We provide an unparalleled level of service to both schools and education staff alike.

Why choose Class Cover as your supply agency?

  • A leading agency in the Southeast
  • Flexibility to pick and choose when you want to work
  • Exceptional daily rates
  • A very generous ‘Refer a teacher’ bonus
  • Fully compliant to the Agency Worker Regulations, ensuring you get the pay and working conditions you are entitled to!
  • A dedicated personal consultant who can provide ongoing support when needed
  • Free online training to help with your professional development

Supply Teacher Requirements:

  • Qualified teacher status (QTS)
  • Knowledge of current curriculum
  • Good Classroom management
  • Flexible and adaptable

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: £150.00-£180.00 per day

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Horley, Surrey: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:
  • Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:
  • Teaching: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:
  • QTS Location: One location

Example 3

We are proud to be one of the only nursery groups in the Country to commit to the Real Living Wage for all our Colleagues. That means every employee over the wage of 18 is paid at least £9.90 per hour.

It doesn’t stop there – our mission is to “Create Opportunities to Grow and Develop – whether you’re 4 or 40.” Some of our Teammates have seen to Sweden and Italy and we have another trip planned for Iceland later this year. If professional development is as important to you as it is for us then we might just be a match.

We're looking for an Early Years Educator who is passionate about providing the highest quality education and care to those children with additional needs and you'll join our existing team of SENCO support. You’ll be passionate about your choice of profession and you’ll want to work in a setting that is forward thinking and open to new ideas.

Are we a match?

Our values are at the heart of everything we do at Child’s Time and it’s crucial to us that we find like-minded people to join our team.

Our Values are as follows (drumroll please) –

Be Brave – be curious and possess a have-a-go attitude

Be Brill – Take pride in what we present

Be Vibrant – be a radiator and not a drain

Be Real – do the right things, even when people aren’t watching

Be a Family – Create a sense of belonging for everyone

What’s in it for you… *

At Child’s Time we put our people at the heart of our culture. Why? Pretty simple really…. If our people love working here, they deliver an amazing experience for all our children and that’s our goal. It’s not rocket science!

That’s why we offer:

Amazing training opportunities to travel and look at other Early Years settings – all across Europe.

Access to bespoke training programmes to develop ourselves to be best Educators we can be – not just mandatory training such as safeguarding and first aid but also leadership development training for those practitioners that have ambitions to lead in the future.

We have a remote GP service which is available 365 days per year around the clock, 7 days per week – available to all our team and their families.

We give all of our team access to a confidential 24/7 helpline with qualified professionals to support with bumps in the road

All of the team can utilise up to 8 physiotherapy sessions per year (their families too!)

We support with discounted childcare places after qualifying periods of time

We have an online portal that offers various perks and discounts

If you’re reading our values and feel an emotional connection to them then we might just be a match.

Still reading? Still interested? Then press the button!

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From £20,592.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Casual dress
  • Childcare
  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Discounted or free food
  • Employee discount
  • Life insurance
  • Sick pay
  • Wellness programmes
Schedule:
  • 10 hour shift
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

Experience:
  • Nursery: 1 year (preferred)
  • Childcare: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:
  • Level 3 Childcare qualification deadline: 27/06/2022

Example 4

Little Robins Day Nursery is a high quality children's day nursery in Hall Green, Birmingham that delivers full and part-time childcare for babies and children up to 5 years old.

Due to very high numbers of enrolments of children joining our Nursery, we have an exciting job opening with an immediate start.

Minimum Level 3 qualification in Early Years and childcare absolutely essential.

SENCO experience is essential or willing to undertake training

200-202 Highfield Rd, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 0LG

Salary: £9.65 - £10.00 per hour, dependent upon experience and qualifications.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established team to work within our Nursery.

The nursery has an excellent reputation, and we want to maintain the excellent standards that the nursery has already been accredited.

You will be someone who is mature, experienced and focused on delivering excellent standards of care and education with a natural ability to work as part of a team.

Hours:

Monday – Friday full time between the hours of 7.30am - 6pm on a shift basis with possible term-time only hours considered.

Essential Requirements - although these can be arranged internally

  • Current DBS certificate/ Clean criminal record (this can be arranged in house and the cost covered by the company)
  • Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (can be renewed in house)
  • Paediatric First Aid certificate (can be renewed in house)
  • Safeguarding children certificate (can be renewed in house)
  • An ability to demonstrate responsibility and use your own initiative. Applicants will also be required to have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the EYFS.
  • Knowledge of health and safety legislation, the Ofsted Standards and all other legislative bodies is also essential.
  • SEND Code or practice and The Role of the SENCO certificate (can be renewed in house)

Specialist Knowledge

· EYFS Learning and Developing and Welfare Requirements

· Observation, Assessment and Planning

· Safeguarding & Child Protection and Prevent Duty

· Ofsted EIF requirements

· The statutory requirements of legislation - Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety and SEND

· Effective Key Worker System

· Effective Parent Partnership and Parents as Co-educators

Skills and Attributes

· Promote all Nursery Policy and Procedures

· Create a happy, challenging, and effective learning environment

· Ability to communicate confidently with a wide range of people and agencies

· Develop children’s Communication and Language skills

· Deliver high quality teaching and learning that covers all 7 areas of the EYFS

· To support the Nursery Management and Staff Team

· To support management with the day-to-day operations of the nursery

· To be able to promote the nursery in a positive and professional manner

· The ability to promote and role model positive behaviour and set appropriate limits

· An in depth understanding and approach to Equal Opportunities

· A good understanding of ‘Famly’ or other Nursery Management Software

· Contributing to the Nursery’s Focus Improvement Plan

· Promote the Nursery’s ethos, aims and values

· Show resilience and an ability to work under pressure

· Promote a healthy and safe environment for children and staff

· Effectively using ICT to support all aspects of Nursery operations/social media

· Collaborating, Leading and Challenging staff practice

Personal Characteristics

· Approachable, Committed, Empathetic, Enthusiastic, Organised, Efficient, Flexible, Patient, Resourceful, Determined, A sense of humour

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £9.65-£10.00 per hour

Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Birmingham, B28 0LG: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Shift availability:
  • Day shift (required)

Work One location

Example 5

Shepherd Montessori Schools Ltd

Full-time SENCo Nursery Practitioner with experience of age 6months - 5 years

Qualified Early Years Practitioner L2 or L3

Start Date: October/November

We are looking for an experienced SEN and SENCo trained early years practitioner at our day nursery in Ashley Cross. We have a beautiful baby room and a fantastic classroom for the older children, outdoor classroom and garden.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with children at an outstanding setting.

To apply for this role, you will need SEN experience as well as being SENCo trained and have a love of working closely with parents and professionals.

The Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the setting’s Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Policy to ensure that all children are fully included into the setting. You will work closely with the Support of Head of Family Partnership

The SENCO Lead role will be incorporated within your Practitioner role.

The SENCO has responsibility for:

  • Identifying children who may need additional support
  • Taking the lead in liaising with parents and other professionals in respect of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • Advising and supporting other practitioners in the setting
  • Ensuring that all relevant records and Individual Education Plans are in place
  • Ensuring that relevant information about individual children with SEND is recorded and updated
  • Applying for additional support for children with more complex special educational needs
  • Working within company, government and local authority requirements at all times

Benefits

  • Competitive salaries
  • Paid lunch breaks and staff meetings
  • Lots of opportunities for training and progression

Enquire now to find out more!

Please email Jennifer on [website]

***Kindly Note - Prior to interview, you will be required to complete our online application form.

Setting Type: Day Nursery - open 8am to 5pm

Nursery Address: Ashley Cross Montessori, Chapel Road, Poole, BH14 0JU

Contract:36 hours per week at £12.00 per hour.

Salary:Qualified SENCo trained 18+ year olds, £26,520.00 FTE (42.50 hours per week) (£12 per hour) inclusive of paid lunch breaks

Min qualification: Level 2 or level 3

Safer Recruitment

Shepherd Montessori Schools are committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in our care. All applicants therefore must be willing to undergo effective child protection and safeguarding screening, this will include references from previous employers and an DBS check and then registered with the Update Service . We shall also seek compliance with sections 15-25 of the immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (eligibility to work in the United Kingdom of Great Britain).

All staff must confirm they are not included on Children's barred list or PoVA or barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority; or disqualified from working with children, or live with someone who has been disqualified from working with children, or been refused registration or had it cancelled; subject to sanctions imposed by a regulatory body, e.g. the Teaching Agency or Health and Care professions council and Ofsted.

All our posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings including those regarded as ‘spent’, must be declared.

Take a look at our website [website] to see the beautiful settings we have created and the incredible start we give to every child in our care.

Job Type: Full-time
Part-time hours: 27-40 per week

Salary: £12.00 per hour

Benefits:
  • Company events
  • Company pension
Schedule:
  • Day shift
  • Holidays
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends
  • Overtime
School type:
  • Private nursery school



Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Poole, BH14 0JU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)


Work Location: In person


Application deadline: ID: ACM
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a SENCo do?

A SENCo is responsible for developing and implementing a school’s SEN (Special Educational Needs) policy to support the teaching of children with special educational needs. Children with special educational needs include those with physical disabilities, such as hearing or sight problems, and those with special learning needs, such as dyslexia or autism.

A SENCo is employed in a leadership position to supervise the teaching practices of Special Educational Needs Teachers and Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistants. A SENCo liaises directly with Head Teachers, Heads of Departments and School Governors to ensure that the school’s SEN policies are in line with national standards and provide for children with unique learning requirements.

SENCo skills and qualifications

SENCos are qualified Teachers with a set of specific teaching skills developed to support children with special educational needs. SENCos also require leadership skills and the ability to supervise and assess other Teachers in a classroom environment. A successful SENCo candiadte will also have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that include:

  • Knowledge of local and national SEN policies, including expert knowledge of the UK’s Equality Act
  • Emotional capacity to work with and improve the lives of children who have unique and challenging requirements
  • Ability to develop new lesson plans and support procedures for teaching children with special education needs
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to influence the decisions of key Policymakers to develop an SEN-compliant teaching environment, including Senior Teachers and School Governors
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to legally be allowed to work with children
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCo) qualification

SENCo experience requirements

SENCos require a minimum of three years of experience teaching in a UK classroom, with at least one year spent in a Supervisor role as the head of a subject or department. Employers need candidates with experience teaching children with special educational needs, which candidates often gain through work as a Special Educational Needs Teacher or Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant earlier in their career.

SENCOs education and training requirements

SENCos require a minimum of five GCSEs and three A-levels, including strong results in English and maths. Employers need to look for candidates with Teacher training, which can be gained through a postgraduate course in teaching. SENCos also require SEN training, which can be provided through schools or courses offered by the National Association of Special Educational Needs.

SENCo salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a SENCos is [no salary data available]. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If SENCO isn’t the exact job you are searching for, here are some related job description samples are available too:

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SENCo job description FAQs

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