Working with your SENCO
How to build a productive relationship with your child's SENCO and get the best outcomes from meetings.
Working with your SENCO
The SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is the person at your child's school responsible for coordinating support for children with SEND. A good relationship with the SENCO can make a real difference to your child's experience at school.
This guide will help you understand what the SENCO does and how to work with them effectively.
What the SENCO does
Every mainstream school must have a SENCO. In most schools, the SENCO:
- Coordinates support for all children with SEND
- Manages the SEN register
- Oversees the graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review)
- Liaises with outside professionals (educational psychologists, speech therapists, etc.)
- Advises class teachers on strategies and adjustments
- Organises and contributes to annual reviews for children with EHCPs
- Acts as the main point of contact for parents about SEND matters
In smaller schools, the SENCO may also be a class teacher. In larger schools, they may work full-time on SEND.
Since September 2024, all new SENCOs must hold the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCo). This is a postgraduate qualification. If your school's SENCO is new to the role, they will be working towards or have recently completed this training.
How to prepare for a meeting with the SENCO
Before the meeting, make a list of specific concerns. Be factual. Instead of 'my child is struggling', say 'my child has had a meltdown after school every day this week' or 'their reading age has not improved in 12 months'.
Write the questions you want answered. For example: - What interventions is my child currently receiving? - How often do they happen? - What progress has been made? - What will happen next if progress is not made?
If you have reports from professionals, examples of your child's work from home, or a diary of incidents, bring them. Evidence strengthens your position.
Write down what is agreed. After the meeting, email the SENCO a summary: 'Thank you for the meeting on [date]. Just to confirm, we agreed that...' This creates a record.
Tips for a productive relationship
Be specific about your concerns. 'She is not happy at school' is harder for the SENCO to act on than 'She says she has no one to sit with at lunch and cries every morning before school.'
Ask for updates regularly. Do not wait for the termly review. A short email asking how things are going shows you are engaged and keeps the pressure on.
Share what works at home. If you have found strategies that work for your child, tell the SENCO. What works at home might work at school too.
Follow up in writing. After phone calls and meetings, send a short email summarising what was discussed and agreed. This is not about being difficult. It is about having a clear record.
Stay calm and focused. Even when you are frustrated. The SENCO is more likely to work with you if the conversation is constructive. Save your anger for the letter to the local authority if needed.
When the SENCO is not helpful
Not all SENCOs are equally responsive. If you are struggling:
- Put everything in writing so there is a paper trail
- Ask to meet the head teacher
- Contact your local SENDIASS for advice and, if needed, ask them to attend a meeting with you
- If the school is consistently failing to provide support, consider a formal complaint
SpektraBot can help you prepare for SENCO meetings. Ask: 'What questions should I ask the SENCO about my child's SEN Support plan?' or 'Can you help me write an email to the SENCO about my concerns?'
Sharing SpektraBot insights with your SENCO
If you want the SENCO to understand your child's situation quickly, you can share your insights. This gives them a read-only view of your child's concerns, actions, and timeline without needing to explain everything from scratch.
Try asking this question in a chat:
“I have a meeting with my child's SENCO next week. What questions should I prepare?”