Early Years SENCo programme captures imaginations

The launch of Best Practice Network’s Early Years SENCo programme caught the sector’s imagination when it was launched in summer 2022.

The programme had more than 5,000 applications, far exceeding places available at that time.

The programme is designed to meet the need of a sector that is acutely aware of increasing demands for specialist support.

“Pre-school children, starved of professionally led learning and development during pandemic lockdowns, are facing language and development gaps that they need to make up,” says Sian Marsh, BPN’s Director of Early Years and ITT.

“Here at Best Practice Network we are leading what I believe is a positive major step on the way towards addressing some of those problems.”

The early years SENCo qualification started delivery in October and currently has 423 participants. Evaluations carried out in January 2023 reveal that 90% of participants believed that the training has already had a positive impact on their own CPD and their skill levels.

“It has been an amazing opportunity,” said one. “It has really helped to extend my knowledge and confidence in the role. I found the webinars really valuable and have enjoyed networking with others in the role.” Another added:

“I would definitely recommend this training, it’s a great course with brilliant mentors.”

The aim is to build specialist expertise in SEND by increasing the number of Level 3 qualified SENCos in group-based settings and childminder settings.

The qualification comes at the right time for the early years sector: settings have long realised that training and professional development for staff can help to prevent colleagues leaving while at the same time upskilling them so that they are able to better identify SEND needs in children. The barrier has been the lack of resources to fund that training at a time when early years budgets are under pressure.

Participants on the four-month long programme can expect a rich mix of online facilitated training, mentoring, online study and enrichment, including a group discussion forum and communities of good practice.

This ambitious programme has been made possible because of the shared sense of purpose across the early years sector. Delivery of the programme around the country depends on a national network of partners: Elklan, Kids Planet Day Nurseries, Snapdragons Nurseries, Bristol City Council, Derbyshire LA, Durham CC and Telford and Wrekin LA, and the National Day Nurseries Association.

5000+ applications

Far exceeding places that were available at that time.

“This isn’t blanket CPD,” Sian Marsh adds. “The programme is targeted at local authority areas identified as having the greatest need, and then closely evaluated so that we know it is having an impact and delivering real value. And we’re working with the local authorities in each of those areas so that their local context is factored into the programme.

“Having more qualified SENCos in the EY sector will have positive impacts on children with SEND and on the sector as a whole, giving professionals the skills to address urgent priorities –and a big incentive to stay in a sector that they know will invest in their professional journey.”