ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the leadership nature of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) role in a broader sense. The SENCO role holds an interesting position within the broader structure of school leadership. The SENCO role has often been divided into the operational and strategic aspects of the role, with the former focusing on the day to day, and the latter seeking to consider SEN provision in a more developmental sense across the whole school. Factors may include whether the SENCO is part of the senior leadership team, whether they have good management support, sufficient resources allocated in terms of time and administrative support, as well as the attitudes of those who work with the SENCO. The chapter considers the difference between operational and strategic leadership before considering the underpinning factors which will influence the approach SENCO take with their leadership, including their ethos towards inclusion and SEN, and what they consider to be good, inclusive practice.
