SENCO

Also called SENDCO, Special educational needs co-ordinator

The qualified teacher responsible for SEND across a school. Every mainstream school must have one.

What it is

The special educational needs co-ordinator is the qualified teacher with day-to-day responsibility for the operation of a school's SEN policy and co-ordination of provision for children with SEND.

Every mainstream school must have one, and a newly appointed SENCO must hold or achieve the National Award for SEN Co-ordination within three years.

Where it applies

Maintained schools, academies and free schools. Independent schools are not required to have one.

How it works

The SENCO advises staff, works with parents, co-ordinates the graduated approach, liaises with outside professionals and manages the school's SEN records.

They are not usually the person who teaches your child, and in a small school they are frequently also the headteacher or a class teacher with no protected time. That matters when you are wondering why nothing has moved.

What you can ask for

Ask for a meeting with the SENCO rather than only the class teacher, and ask for it in writing so there is a record.

Ask who else has been involved — an educational psychologist, a specialist teacher, the advisory service — and what they recommended. Reports the school holds are records about your child and you can ask for them.

Ask what the SENCO's allocated time is. It is a fair question and the answer explains a lot.

Where to get help

If the SENCO route is not working, the next step is the headteacher, then the governing body's complaints procedure. SENDIASS can advise on both.