The SENCO role has long been synonymous with chronic time constraints and a large volume of administrative tasks. In a 2025 Tes survey, only 6% of SENCOs said they were able to complete their tasks during work hours, and poor work-life balance is a frequent reason cited by SENCOs leaving the profession.
Earlier this year, we commissioned a Teacher Tapp poll of 2,196 schools. Although just a snapshot, it showed that 35% of surveyed schools now employ an Assistant SENCO. A further 12% are either planning to appoint an Assistant SENCO, or specifically thinking about upskilling a TA to take on the position.
The additional capacity provided by Assistant SENCOs is proving important to both strengthen SEND provision and alleviate pressure on SENCOs. This will be even more vital in light of the proposed reforms set out in the Schools White Paper.
Assistant SENCO Schools Week Article
Equipping the SEND team to respond to change
To meet the aims of the reforms, SENCOs will likely need to devote more time to strategic activities, including making best use of pooled resources and funding.
In order for this to happen, however, they must have the right support from the team around them.
Our Assistant SENCO programme facilitates this by developing skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- Developing SEND data collection and analysis skills, to support the evaluation of the effectiveness of new interventions/projects, make strategic recommendations to SLT, inform SEND resource management and gather data to assist the SENCO with EHCP requests.
- Acting as a point of contact for families, including help navigating ISPs, leading some annual EHCP review meetings and supporting parental understanding of SEND processes.
- Leading school-wide audits of physical and communication barriers, to ensure inclusive access.
- Exploring SEND policy and record-keeping, applying knowledge of SEND policy to support documentation of progress and guide conversations with parents. Securely managing SEND records and updating provision maps/ISPs.
- Using the graduated approach, including tracking individual pupil progress, gathering evidence, reviewing outcomes and helping SENCOs to develop provision.
- Managing and coaching support staff – leading or assisting with TA timetabling and modelling of best practice and understanding the basics of coaching.
- Deepening knowledge of specific areas of SEND – and ensuring pupil voice is central to planning and provision.
- Communication with external agencies – to help coordinate expert support.
Not just admin support
Former SENCO, Chelsea Edwards, is Curriculum Lead for the programme and keen to point out that the Assistant SENCO apprenticeship is not just about learning how to handle paperwork
“The Assistant SENCO role differs in every school, but this apprenticeship is really flexible and designed to give TAs a toolkit of strategies so they can share not only the administrative workload, but also help contribute to forward-thinking improvements to SEND provision,” she says. “The training is an extension to the TA career pathway, building on the immense value that support staff bring to schools and encouraging them to think at a more whole-school level.”
Read our full feature in Schools Week: New Fully-Funded Training Programme for Assistant SENCOs Seeks to Address SENCO Workload Problem
Or on the SEND Network forum: Preparing for SEND Reform: The Role of the Assistant SENCO | SEND Network
Interested in studying?
The Assistant SENCO Programme is open to experienced TAs, HLTAs and other support staff.
June cohort 2026: Support the strategic vision of your SENCO and gain the skills to step into (or advance in) the Assistant SENCO role
Apply now
Despite the government defunding Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeships, we are happy to confirm we are able to offer an exciting new specialist version of the Assistant SENCO programme in September 2026.
September cohort 2026: Master advanced pedagogical skills and gain the expertise to support the SENCO
Apply now