Petition: Fair Pay and Conditions for SENCOs 

By Lynn How 

(The Sweary SENCo)

What are we asking for?

1. Protected time: SENCOs must have a guaranteed, appropriate amount of protected time each week to fulfil the role effectively, without being overloaded by teaching or additional duties.
2. Fair pay: SENCOs should be appropriately paid for the responsibilities they carry, with a suitable TLR for those not on the Leadership Scale. SENCO pay should be ringfenced and government funded.
3. Uninterrupted School Holidays: Schools and SENCOs should only be expected to respond to consultations and requests during term time. It is not acceptable for deadlines or statutory processes to fall in school holidays. Legislation and best practice needs to be updated.
4. SLT voice: We require clear clarification on Senior Leadership Team status. Either ensure that all SENCos have SLT status or outline directives to ensure that we have appropriate influence at SLT level in our school, as suggested by the new OFSTED framework. 

For more information on these three points, please refer to the corresponding blog posts:

1. Protected time
2. Fair Pay 
3. Uninterrupted School Holidays 
4. SLT Voice 

Who is affected?

Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) are at the frontline of supporting children and young people with additional needs in our schools. Yet despite carrying legal responsibilities, overseeing EHCPs, liaising with families and external agencies, and driving inclusion, many SENCOs are expected to manage this workload on top of teaching commitments, with little or no protected time. This is leaving SENCOs burnt out, underpaid for the seniority of their role, and struggling to deliver the support children are legally entitled to. Ultimately, children and families pay the price when SENCOs are stretched too thin.

What is at stake?

If things don’t change, thousands of children with SEND risk missing out on the education and opportunities they deserve. SENCOs cannot meaningfully deliver on statutory responsibilities without fair pay and adequate time away from classroom teaching. A lack of investment in SENCO conditions means more staff leaving the role, growing backlogs in EHCP processes, and children being left without the right provision. With the right support, however, SENCOs can make an enormous difference in improving outcomes, raising attainment, and supporting inclusion across every school. This sector of education is on its knees and cannot go on in the current educational climate without positive change.

Why is now the time to act?

We are at a breaking point. The number of pupils with SEND is rising every year, waiting lists for EHCPs are at record levels, and local authority budgets are in crisis. SENCOs are being asked to do more than ever before — often without any additional support or remuneration. Urgent action is needed to guarantee SENCOs fair pay and proper working conditions, including protected time to carry out their role effectively. By supporting this petition, you are calling on the Department for Education and UK Government to safeguard the future of SEND provision by recognising, funding, and protecting the SENCO role properly. This also includes supporting SENCos when schools are shut, as they are often inundated with time-sensitive LA paperwork, as well as putting in black and white what pay we can expect and should receive. SENCos should be fairly and transparently remunerated for their role and M-level qualifications. 

Thank you for your support

Lynn

www.positiveyoungmind.com