By Fiona Simpson

The Early Years SENCO programme, delivered by the Best Practice Network, equips staff with a level 3 qualification.

The places have been announced on top of 5,000 set out as part of the government’s SEND and AP Improvement plan and its early years education recovery programme.

According to the Department for Education, priority for the latest tranche of places, which are available until August 2024, will be given to SENCos in areas currently under-represented in the training uptake, including the north east and north west of England.

Best Practice Network evaluations of the programme, which was launched last year, find that 90 per cent of current programme participants believe that the training has already had a positive impact on their own CPD (continuing professional development) and their skill levels.

Sian Marsh, director of early years and ITT at Best Practice Network, said: “Having more qualified SENCos in the sector will have positive impacts on children with special educational needs and disabilities (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.”

The announcement comes alongside plans for seven new special free schools in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Merton and Norfolk.

The new schools, announced on top of 83 previously planned across England as part of the SEND and AP Improvement plan, are expected to support more than 1,000 children.

Claire Coutinho, minister for children, families and wellbeing, said: “Making sure children with special educational needs and disabilities get a superb education is a priority.

“Earlier this year our Improvement Plan set out systemic reforms to make sure every child and young person gets consistently high-quality support, no matter where in the country they live.

“Today we’re making sure that those reforms are informed by the experiences of real families, up and down the country, and creating the thousands of new places at specialist schools and in staff training courses that are needed to make sure our plan is a success.”

DfE announced its improvement plan, following a review of SEND services for children in March this year.