The role of the Special Needs Co-ordinator within both mainstream and special schools is becoming increasingly high-profile and the demands being made on SEN departments are higher than ever before. This text recognizes and addresses teachers' increasing needs for more professional training and development to meet these demands. Going beyond a description of the role of the SENCO, this book contains essential guidance on every aspect of the challenges faced by schools in fulfilling their obligations to meet pupils' specific learning needs. The book aims to offer staff practical and theoretical help in order that they can make informed decisions, and has an interactive style which invites readers to engage with the core issues and perspectives it introduces through a range of integrated activities. Emphasis is placed on clarifying the underlying assumptions in the field so that teachers may adopt their own stance on key questions. Real-world examples of support for literacy development and the practical application of ICT are provided.