SENCO COACHING PROGRAMME

Led inclusion with clarity, confidence and resilience

Being a SENCO is one of the most important and demanding leadership roles in a school.

You are often leading from the middle, influencing practice without always having formal authority, managing competing priorities, and holding the emotional weight of inclusion for children, families and staff. It is a role that requires strategic thinking, emotional resilience, confident communication and the ability to keep going even when the pressure feels relentless.

This 8-week SENCO Coaching Programme offers a confidential, supportive space for SENCOs to step back from the day-to-day pressures, reflect on their leadership, and develop practical strategies to lead inclusion with greater purpose and confidence.

Who this programme is for

This programme is designed for SENCOs who want to:

strengthen their leadership identity
feel more confident in their communication and decision-making
influence others more effectively
move from reactive firefighting to strategic leadership
build resilience, boundaries and emotional sustainability in the role

Whether you are new to the SENCO role or have been doing it for years, this programme gives you time, space and support to focus on you as a leader.

What you will gain

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

have a deeper understanding of their leadership identity and influence
communicate with greater clarity and confidence
lead inclusion strategically rather than reactively
maintain stronger boundaries and personal resilience
feel connected, supported and re-energised in their role

What the programme includes

Over 8 weeks, participants experience a blend of coaching, reflection and peer support in a small group setting designed to allow meaningful discussion and individual attention. Sessions combine reflective dialogue, coaching techniques and collaboration with others who understand the realities of the role.

The programme includes:

2 x 2-hour face-to-face workshops
6 x 1-hour live online group coaching sessions
a reflection and accountability framework with weekly prompts and actions
a SEND audit and non-negotiables one-pager
coaching tools and psychometrics
conversation scripts
optional 1:1 coaching follow-up sessions

Programme overview

Week 1: Setting the Scene – Leading Inclusion with Purpose

A face-to-face workshop focused on leadership purpose, values and intentions for the programme. Participants reflect on what leading inclusion means in their context and begin building a framework for reflection and accountability.

Weeks 2–3: Clarity and Confidence – Understanding Your Leadership Identity

These sessions focus on personal strengths, leadership style, self-awareness, confidence, decision-making and boundaries. SENCOs explore how to lead from authenticity rather than reaction.

Weeks 4–5: Influence and Communication – Leading Without Authority

Participants develop practical strategies for building trust, influencing staff and leaders, and managing courageous conversations with confidence and empathy. One workshop includes DISC profiling to deepen self-awareness and communication.

Weeks 6–7: Resilience and Boundaries – Sustaining Yourself as a Leader

These sessions address stress, emotional load, self-regulation, wellbeing and the importance of setting and holding healthy boundaries.

Week 8: Strategic Thinking – Moving from Firefighting to Forward Leadership

The final session helps participants reflect on their growth, identify next steps and build a strategic vision for leading inclusion in a sustainable way.

Why this programme matters

Too many SENCOs spend their time responding to urgent needs without ever being given the space to think strategically about their leadership. This programme creates that space.

It is not just about helping SENCOs cope. It is about helping them lead with greater clarity, confidence and impact — while protecting their own energy and wellbeing.

When SENCOs feel stronger, more strategic and better supported, the benefits ripple out across the whole school community.

Programme format

Duration: 8 weeks
Session length: 60 minutes
Group size: ideally 6–8 participants
Format: 2 face-to-face workshops and 6 online group coaching sessions

Investment

£895 per person
This includes the two in-person workshops and six live group coaching sessions.

Ready to find out more?

If you would like to discuss your coaching needs, explore whether this programme is right for you or your school, or find out about upcoming cohorts, please get in touch.

Contact Mandy at
mandy@mweducation.co.uk