To become a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) in a maintained school in England, you must be a qualified teacher and complete the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) within three years of taking up the role. The SENCO is a statutory position under the SEND Code of Practice 2015, carrying significant responsibility for the educational outcomes of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
There are approximately 1.6 million pupils in England identified as having special educational needs, representing around 17.3% of the school population, according to DfE Special Educational Needs data for 2024/25. This growing SEND population has increased demand for qualified, skilled SENCOs across all school types and phases. For experienced teaching assistants and qualified teachers looking for a specialist leadership role, the SENCO pathway offers meaningful career progression and a direct impact on some of the most vulnerable pupils in the education system.
Quick answer: To become a SENCO in a maintained school in England, you must be a qualified teacher (QTS) and complete the NASENCO award within three years of appointment. Teaching assistants cannot legally hold the SENCO role in maintained schools without first gaining QTS. The role typically attracts a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) supplement on top of teacher pay, placing most SENCOs on £35,000–£55,000 per year.
What does a SENCO do?
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is responsible for the strategic development and day-to-day oversight of a school's provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The role has both a pastoral and a managerial dimension: SENCOs coordinate the assessment and support of individual pupils, advise and support classroom teachers and teaching assistants, liaise with external agencies including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and the local authority, and lead the school's SEND strategy.
Under the SEND Code of Practice 2015 (GOV.UK), the SENCO has specific statutory duties. These include maintaining the SEND register, overseeing the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process, ensuring quality-first teaching for pupils with SEND, collaborating with parents and carers in planning support, and advising the governing body on SEND provision. In larger schools, the SENCO may manage a team of teaching assistants or specialist support staff. In smaller schools, the headteacher may also serve as SENCO.
The SENCO role has expanded significantly since the Children and Families Act 2014 and the accompanying SEND Code of Practice reformed the special educational needs system. The introduction of EHCPs (replacing Statements of Special Educational Need), the extension of SEND provision to age 25, and the increased focus on co-production with families have all increased the strategic and administrative demands on SENCOs across England.
SENCO qualifications: what you need
The qualifications required to become a SENCO depend on the type of school you work in and whether you are a teacher or a teaching support professional. Understanding this distinction is critical, as the legal requirements differ by school type.
In maintained schools (local authority-maintained primary, secondary, and special schools), the following are statutory requirements under the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Regulations 2014:
- The SENCO must be a qualified teacher — holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent DfE-recognised teaching qualification
- A newly appointed SENCO who does not already hold the NASENCO award must achieve it within three years of taking up the role
- The SENCO should be a member of the school's senior leadership team (this is guidance rather than a legal requirement, but is strongly recommended)
In academies and free schools, the statutory requirement for the SENCO to be a qualified teacher does not apply in law, as academies are not maintained schools. However, Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF) scrutinises the quality of SEND provision across all school types, and most academy trusts require or strongly recommend QTS and the NASENCO for their SENCOs. The National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) recommends that all SENCOs, regardless of school type, hold the NASENCO award as a minimum professional standard.
The NASENCO award: what it is and how to get it
The National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) is a Level 7 postgraduate qualification — equivalent to a Master's module — specifically designed for serving SENCOs. The NASENCO is offered by a range of higher education institutions in England, including universities and specialist education providers, and is studied part-time over approximately one year. It is assessed through assignments, portfolios of practice evidence, and in some programmes a reflective case study.
The NASENCO was developed by the DfE and is the only qualification that satisfies the statutory three-year requirement. It covers SEND policy and legislation, assessment and intervention strategies, leading SEND provision, working with families, and the SENCO as a leader within the school. The Award is reviewed periodically by the DfE; the most recent iteration emphasises inclusion, co-production, and evidence-based practice aligned with the 2014 SEND reforms.
According to the DfE's NASENCO guidance on GOV.UK, the award should be offered by an Ofsted-inspected higher education institution and accredited by an appropriate HEI at Level 7. The cost of the NASENCO varies by provider, typically ranging from £1,500 to £3,500, and is often part-funded or fully funded by schools as part of continuing professional development (CPD) commitments. Some local authorities also have NASENCO funding arrangements with local universities.
Routes to becoming a SENCO: step by step
The pathway to becoming a SENCO varies depending on your current position in the education workforce. The following table maps the two most common routes — from teaching assistant and from newly qualified or experienced teacher — alongside the qualification steps required at each stage.
| Starting point | Steps to SENCO | Key qualifications | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistant (Level 3/4) | 1. Gain Level 3/4 TA qualification 2. Complete HLTA (Level 4) for senior TA roles 3. Obtain QTS (PGCE, School Direct, or Assessment Only) 4. Teach in school for 2+ years 5. Apply for SENCO role 6. Complete NASENCO within 3 years |
Level 3 TA, Level 4 HLTA, PGCE/QTS, NASENCO | 5–8 years from TA to SENCO |
| Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT/ECT) | 1. Gain QTS (degree + PGCE or integrated programme) 2. Complete Early Career Teacher (ECT) induction (2 years) 3. Build SEND experience in class and in support roles 4. Apply for SENCO appointment 5. Complete NASENCO within 3 years |
QTS, ECT Induction, NASENCO | 4–6 years from QTS to SENCO |
| Experienced Teacher | 1. Build SEND expertise through CPD and SEND leadership experience 2. Apply for SENCO appointment (already QTS) 3. Complete NASENCO within 3 years if not already held |
QTS, NASENCO (if not held) | 1–4 years if already experienced in SEND |
For teaching assistants, the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator or the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning provides a strong foundation for understanding educational environments, supporting learning, and developing professional practice ahead of pursuing QTS. Qualvera's Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification is specifically designed for teaching assistants looking to build their expertise and advance their careers in school settings.
SENCO salary in the UK (2026)
SENCO salaries in England are structured around the national teacher pay scales, supplemented by a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payment that reflects the additional responsibilities of the SENCO role. TLR payments are set by individual schools within bands defined by the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), published annually by the DfE.
In 2025/26, the TLR2 band pays between £3,117 and £7,847 per year. SENCOs with whole-school SEND strategic responsibility typically receive a TLR2 or TLR1 supplement. Combined with a teacher's Main Pay Range (MPR) salary of £31,650 to £43,607 (England outside London) or a UPS salary of £46,525 to £53,994, this places most SENCOs on total earnings between £35,000 and £55,000 per year. In inner London, where teacher pay scales are higher, SENCO salaries can exceed £60,000 for senior or specialist positions.
SENCOs in special schools or those holding deputy headteacher or assistant headteacher roles alongside their SENCO responsibilities may earn on the Leadership Pay Scale, with salaries above £60,000 for experienced practitioners in large schools. According to DfE School Teachers' Pay and Conditions guidance 2025, the level of TLR awarded is at headteacher discretion and should reflect the complexity and scope of the SENCO's responsibilities within that school.
How teaching qualifications support the SENCO pathway
For teaching assistants who aspire to the SENCO role, the journey involves building qualifications and experience incrementally across several years. Each qualification gained along the way adds both practical competence and formal credibility, making you a stronger candidate for promotion and ultimately for QTS and the NASENCO.
The Level 3 Diploma Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools provides teaching assistants with a nationally recognised qualification that demonstrates professional competence in supporting pupils' learning, behaviour, and wellbeing. The Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) builds on this with more advanced curriculum knowledge, assessment skills, and the ability to lead learning activities in the teacher's absence — a significant step towards the classroom leadership skills expected of a future SENCO.
Qualvera's Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning programme is available for £49.99 per month online, with flexible study designed around school working patterns and term times. For an overview of how the teaching assistant pathway works in practice, see our guide to how to become a teaching assistant, and our comparison of TA vs HLTA roles and responsibilities.
"Every child deserves the support they need to succeed," states the NASEN SENCO Toolkit. "The SENCO plays a pivotal role in making this a reality — not just for individual pupils, but in shaping an inclusive school culture." This reflects the strategic importance that the DfE, Ofsted, and the wider education sector place on qualified, capable SENCOs in every school.
Key takeaways: To become a SENCO in a maintained school, you must hold QTS and complete the NASENCO (Level 7) within three years of appointment. Teaching assistants follow a longer route via Level 3/4 qualifications and QTS. SENCO salaries range from £35,000 to £55,000+ with TLR supplements. The Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification is the recommended starting point for TAs building towards the SENCO pathway.
Build your classroom expertise on the path to SENCO
Qualvera's Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning is the recognised qualification for teaching assistants — study online, at your own pace, around your school timetable.
Level 3 Teaching Assistant — £49.99/monthFrequently asked questions
Do you have to be a qualified teacher to become a SENCO?
Yes. In England, the SEND Code of Practice 2015 requires that the SENCO in a maintained school must be a qualified teacher. This means holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or an equivalent teaching qualification recognised by the Department for Education (DfE). Teaching assistants and HLTAs cannot legally hold the SENCO role in a maintained school, but can take on SEND coordination in some academy trusts and independent schools where the statutory requirement differs.
What is the NASENCO and is it compulsory?
The National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO) is a postgraduate-level qualification required by law for all newly appointed SENCOs in maintained schools in England. Under the SEND Code of Practice 2015, a teacher appointed to the SENCO role who does not already hold the NASENCO must begin the award within three years of taking up the post. The NASENCO is a Level 7 qualification, equivalent to a Master's module, and typically takes one year part-time.
How much does a SENCO earn in the UK?
SENCO salaries in England vary by school type, phase, and Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) point allocation. According to DfE School Workforce Census data for 2024/25, SENCOs with responsibility for a whole-school SEND strategy typically receive a TLR2 supplement of £3,000 to £7,000 on top of their teacher's pay range salary. This places most SENCOs on total earnings of between £35,000 and £55,000 per year, with headteacher SENCOs in small schools earning more.
Can a teaching assistant become a SENCO?
Not directly in a maintained school, where the SENCO role is restricted to qualified teachers by law. However, a teaching assistant can become a SENCO by first gaining QTS through routes such as a PGCE, School Direct, or the Assessment Only route. Some teaching assistants with extensive SEND experience complete the Level 3 or Level 4 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification as a stepping stone before pursuing QTS and ultimately the NASENCO award.
Does the NASENCO requirement apply to academy schools?
The statutory NASENCO requirement applies to maintained schools under the SEND Code of Practice 2015. Academies and free schools are not maintained schools and are therefore not legally required to appoint a qualified teacher as SENCO or require the NASENCO award. However, Ofsted's inspection framework expects SENCOs in all school types to have appropriate expertise, and most academy trusts either require or strongly encourage the NASENCO as best practice.