SENCO
Special educational needs coordinator: the member of staff responsible for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities
By The Toddly editorial team · Last updated 11 November 2026
Group settings that receive funding for early education are expected to identify a SENCO. They help staff notice when a child may need extra support, plan that support with parents, keep records, and work with outside professionals such as speech and language therapists, health visitors and the council’s inclusion team. They can help families apply for extra funding or an education, health and care needs assessment. If your child has additional needs, ask to meet the SENCO on your visit and ask how they have supported other children with similar needs.