LeadersSafeguardingCPDGovernorHubKeyGPT
Training Hub

SEND: role of the link governor

Clarify your role as the link governor for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Download our role description and get advice on meeting with the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).

Last reviewed on 5 March 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 3910
Contents
  1. Your board should have a SEND link governor or committee
  2. Use our role description 
  3. Understand SEND in your school
  4. Hold your school to account 
  5. Report to the governing board 
  6. Help your board drive high-quality SEND provision
  7. Next steps: take SEND link governor training

Your board should have a SEND link governor or committee

All schools should have either a member of the governing board, or a committee, with specific oversight of your school's arrangements for special educational needs and disability (SEND). 

This is set out in the statutory SEND Code of Practice (paragraph 6.3, page 92), although the code doesn't specify exactly what the role involves. 

Everyone on your governing board is responsible for SEND – but the SEND link governor or committee is there to have a deeper understanding and monitor in detail.

Use our role description 

Understand the usual expectations of a SEND link governor with our role description below:

Download: SEND link governor role description DOCX, 688.8 KB
Download

The role doesn't differ in special schools

The role of the SEND link governor in special schools and mainstream schools is largely the same.

The link governor will be monitoring arrangements that affect all pupils,