Blog | "Develop the confidence, skills & tools to meet rising need"

Back for 2026, our Train‑the‑Trainer model for the Level 3 Early Years SENCo Award continues to grow sustainable SEND and inclusion expertise across the early years.  Natalie Anderson, SIL Early Years Education Partner, reflects on the powerful impact it's having on children with SEND and their families.

“Developed with practitioners across the sector, the SIL Early Years SENCo Award continues to develop the skills, knowledge and approaches that lead to meaningful, relevant and impactful provision.

Since 2019, over 3,500 PVI practitioners have been upskilled as SENCos - strengthening inclusive practice and enabling timely, joined‑up support during this critical stage.

With Early Years SEND and inclusion a national priority, Martyn Oliver, in the Ofsted Annual Report 2025, reminds us that…

“A well-trained workforce is fundamental in giving children the best start in life”

Our programme directly supports this, enabling EY SENCos to develop the confidence, skills and tools to meet rising need, and to work more effectively with families.

"The SENCO Level 3 Award has been noted in Ofsted Reports"

Offering the SIL’s Early Years SENCo Award to your workforce supports:

• Better Outcomes 
  Early identification, stronger inclusive practice and more confidence in supporting children with SEND.
• Professional Development 
  A clear route into roles such as SENCO, SEN Manager, Inclusion Officer or wider SEND leadership.
• Stronger Partnerships
  Practical skills to collaborate with parents, carers and external professionals that ensure children receive early support.
• Practical Strategies
  Covers approaches to speech, language and communication support, SEND identification and developing high‑quality inclusive practice.
• Ofsted Readiness
  Aligned with DfE requirements, the SEND Code of Practice and the EYFS framework.

“The best training I have ever been on”

Our Train‑the‑Trainer model enables EY SENCos to build long‑term support networks, embed sustainable inclusive practice and upskill practitioners across their LA or Network.

Our next cohort begins on 9 March 2026, and the four-day in‑person training offers:

• A two‑year training licence to deliver the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award for SENCOs
• Access to high‑quality electronic materials
• Ongoing support from SIL
• A quality assurance visit
• Guidance on local adaptation, ensuring the training aligns with LA processes, pathways and SEND priorities
• Termly network meetings with our other trainers across the country

“This programme has inspired me and made me think about how important the SENCo role is within the PVI sector”

To find out more about joining the March 2026 cohort, please visit our training pages or email [email protected]