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NCFE/CACHE Level 4 Award in Special Educational Needs and Disability Leadership and Management in the Early Years

The Level 4 Award in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Leadership and Management in the Early Years has been designed for those already working in a lead SENCo role within early years settings who wish to increase confidence in relation to leadership and management progression.
Smiling little girl on a bed with toys
The qualification prepares learners for leadership and management in specific aspects of the SENCo role including – enabling best outcomes for children and their families, personal development, liaison with parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals.
Building on the Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years Settings, this qualification offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and is aimed at Level 3 early educators working in a private, voluntary or independent early years setting.

In order to achieve the Level 4 Award, learners must achieve three mandatory units.

  • Leading effective practice in the role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) within Early Years Settings

  • Evaluate Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) provision for effective practice within an Early Years Setting

  • Lead change to inform Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) provision in an Early Years Setting
This qualification will be internally assessed. Types of assessment include a portfolio of evidence, written assignments and reflection tasks.
Applicants must be working in a suitable SENCo role and be in a position where they are able to evidence achievement of specific knowledge and skills required of a lead role.

Learners should be at least 19 years of age and meet the criteria below:

  • Working as an Early Years lead SENCo or SEND-related role
  • Have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and a Level 3 SEND qualification

  • To be able to attend monthly Virtual Classroom sessions

  • To be in a position to carry out three to four hours of study per week

  • To have the appropriate level of literacy

  • To have regular access to a computer which will allow you to access the online portfolio system

  • To be able to use the internet, send and receive emails with attachments, complete written work using a computer (with Microsoft Word) and be generally IT-literate
Approximately 6-7 months. Learners will be enrolled for 7 months.

The course fee is £672, and includes Alliance student membership.

Membership includes access to EYA Learn online training courses.

This course is delivered via a blend of small group virtual teaching sessions, online learning and written tasks.

You will be supported by an assessor who will deliver the teaching sessions, set tasks, mark and feedback on your work.

It is important that you attend virtual teaching sessions and meet the deadlines set by your assessor in order to complete within the allocated time frame.

  • Application form – to be completed in full and returned.

  • Telephone interview – our assessor will contact you to discuss the course content and delivery.

  • Online literacy/numeracy assessments – you will be provided with a login to complete assessments online

  • Funding options, information, advice and guidance – one of our training advisors will contact you to discuss options available to you.

  • Induction confirmation – the date of your induction and formal start date will be confirmed

  • Enrolment paperwork – the formal enrolment paperwork will be issued to you to review and sign. 

  • Formal start – attend the induction/first day of learning. 

  • Assessment – over the duration of the course, assessment will be made up of regular, online assessor guidance, planning and feedback.
Learners can progress to leadership and management roles and responsibilities within Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) related roles in Early Years Settings.

Interested in more information on the our  Level 4 SEND Leadership and Management Award?

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