Exploring the strategic nature of the SENCo and the management of Education and Health Care Plans since the Covid-19 pandemic

The principal aim of this research was to identify new approaches to Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) provision since the start of the Covid-19 (C-19) pandemic; March 2020 to March 2021 (Institute for Government, 2021). The qualitative research took place after the C-19 pandemic, with online questionnaires used to identify perceptions of 64 Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos). Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with 13 of the 64 participants, who gave consent to be interviewed. Participants were from mainstream primary and secondary schools across Southeast London and Essex in England.

Findings showed that where SENCos had the autonomy to be strategic in nature, they could enact change to provision for pupils with EHCPs as well as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Furthermore, aspects of practice relating to staff SEND knowledge and understanding of SEND provision were enhanced during the C-19 pandemic, together with the SENCo’s improved ability to adapt and allocate resources effectively.