The National Award for SENCO Providers Group (Leading Learning for Special Educational Needs and Disability CiC), as part of Whole School SEND and funded by the DfE, has developed an Induction Pack aimed at new and aspiring SENCOs. This pack is now available on the SEND Gateway.

The aim of the pack is to support SENCOs at the start of their journey, before they complete the NASENCO qualification, but it is also likely to prove useful for more experienced SENCOs as a quick reference tool. It contains useful summaries of information and areas for SENCOs to consider, as well as many references and links to documents and websites. The pack has been trialled with new and experienced SENCOs and feedback has been very positive.

You can download the SENCO Induction Pack from the SEND Gateway and either read it on screen (so the links are clickable) or if you prefer, print it out so that you have it to hand.

The SENCo Induction Pack covers the following areas:

• Understanding the SENCo role;
• Key legislation;
• Identifying and understanding areas of need;
• The graduated approach and SEN support;
• The SENCo's role in Education, Health, and Care plans;
• Monitoring and managing provision;
• Working with children and young people;
• Working in partnership with parents, carers and others;
• Working with support staff;
• Role of the SENCo in CPD;
• SENCo and practitioner well-being;
• The SENCo, self-evaluation and Ofsted;
• The role of the SENCo in organising access arrangements.

Each section includes useful references and suggestions for further reading.

Over the past year, the Leading Learning for Special Educational Needs and Disability CIC have developed and trialled this Induction Pack for SENCos, with input from experienced and new SENCos themselves.