Early Years: accredited Level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators

Descriptions

The purpose of this notice is to notify the market of forthcoming procurement activity relating to accredited Level 3 Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) training for group based early years providers and for childminders. That is, those who are, or who will be, fulfilling the role of SENCO as described in paragraph 5.53 of the SEND Code of Practice. This notice is associated with the EY Recovery Programme strand 5 Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) training: Invest in specialist SEND expertise by increasing the number of staff with an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification, leading to better identification of SEND and better support for those children. Further details can be found at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e7a7a398-393a-40c6-b586-1bf5dec6cf08 An early engagement event was held on 10 November 2021. Documentation from this event can be found below. EarlyYearsEducator.QUALIFICATIONS@education.gov.uk You can also respond to this notice by completing our questionnaire. For a copy of the questionnaire please email the address above. Evidence suggests that the vast majority of group based providers and childminders have access to a designated SENCO. However, there is a need to scale up the provision of qualified SENCOs, especially in areas with higher levels of disadvantage. Increasing the number of trained SENCOs will contribute to better SEND identification and support, at a time when the Covid 19 pandemic has significantly reduced opportunities to identify and address SEND amongst children not yet of compulsory school age. We know that there are a number of organisations across England offering an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification. We are seeking an opportunity to increase the number of training places available to group based staff and childminders.