• Access Duration: 1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level: Level 2
• Qualification Number: 610/4540/8
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 35
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 45

• Find the normative patterns of development for babies and children from birth to 5 years old.
• Define “early intervention” and the role of the SENDCo assistant in raising concerns about a child’s development.
• Explain the local SEND offer and how it is delivered through local policies and statutory guidance.
• Communicate clearly with the SENDCo to advocate for individual needs of babies and children.
• Recognise the relevant laws and four areas of need in the SEND Code of Practice.
• Understand the responsibilities of a SENDCo and how does the assistant contribute to improved outcomes.
• Look for people who work for more than one agency and demonstrate that they work well with others to get the best results.
• Reflect on an area of inclusive provision that supports the development of a safe and supportive space through child-centred pedagogy.

This course is for individuals who work with babies and young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and want to learn more about how to support these children. This course is for people working in early years settings who want to support the work of the Early Years SENDCo, promote inclusive practice, help children do better and develop professionally.

This specialist early years SEND course is ideal for:

• Early years practitioners
• Childminders
• Nursery assistants
• Room leaders
• Aspiring SENDCo assistants
• Volunteers
• Career changers
• Returning learners
• CPD seekers

• You must be aged 16 or over.
• You must be working in an early years setting.
• You may find it helpful if you have already achieved a level 2 qualification.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (3 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (1 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time. We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 2 Certificate requires approximately 35 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Internal Assessment: This qualification is internally assessed by South London College.

Portfolio of Evidence: You will develop a portfolio of evidence including written assignments, direct observations and reflective accounts. This will demonstrate that you have met all the learning outcomes for the units. Some learning outcomes will need to be assessed by direct observation of practice in your workplace, e.g. communicating with the SENDCo, capturing a child’s voice, helping parents/caregivers, demonstrating partnership working and child-centred pedagogy.

Grading: This qualification is graded as “Achieved” or “Not yet achieved”.

This Level 2 Award gives you a good grounding in SEND and enables you to progress to more advanced early years and specialist roles easily.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway:

• Step 1: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
• Step 2: NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner
• Step 3: Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Early Years.

Alternative Pathways:

• Level 3 qualifications in Childcare, Playwork, or Teaching Assistance.
• Specialist CPD short courses in areas such as speech and language, autism, or sensory processing.
• Leadership and management qualifications for inclusive early years settings.

This NCFE CACHE Level 2 Technical Specialist qualification can lead to rewarding careers that really impact young children with SEND.Below are some career opportunities you could pursue, alongside approximate UK salaries based on the latest data from Glassdoor UK.

• Childminder (with SEND specialism) — £32,000
• Room Leader (inclusive setting) — £24,000
• Early Years Practitioner (SEND focus) — £24,000
• Early Years SENDCo Assistant — £20,000
• Nursery Nurse (SEND experience) — £20,000
• Nursery Assistant (supporting SEND) — £18,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the UK government’s Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual regulation ensures that the qualification meets national standards for quality, consistency, and fairness. It means the course content, assessment methods, and learning outcomes are carefully monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, well recognised, and supports progression to further study or employment in the UK.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.