New to SEND?
What is SEND?
On this page you will find information and guidance for people who are new to SEND, including what SEN and SEND mean, what to do if you think your child might have SEN and how people with SEN are supported in educational settings.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Visit Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) here
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2015) is a very important document for SEND. It explains the duties of local authorities, health bodies, schools and colleges to provide for those with special educational needs under part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Visit the SEND Code of Practice here
What does SEN mean?
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice (2015) states that a child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.
A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:
• has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
• has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.
What does disability mean?
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice (2015) states that many children and young people who have SEN may have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 – that is ‘…a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.
Children and young people with such conditions do not necessarily have SEN, but there is a significant overlap between disabled children and young people and those with SEN. Where a disabled child or young person requires special educational provision they will also be covered by the SEN definition.
Short Breaks are solely available for children and young people with a disability and span a range of activities, care and support options that a child/ young person with disabilities may need. They provide an opportunity for children and young people with disabilities to spend time away from their carers, try out new things, have fun and make new friends. Short Breaks can also provide families with a chance to do things together.
What do I do if I think my child has SEN?
If you have any concerns that your child may have SEN, it's beneficial to start collecting and organising information about your child to gain a clear picture. This could include educational concerns, any problems or changes in behaviour, health issues, patterns or triggers, or any relevant paperwork.
Who can I talk to?
Talk to your child's school or education setting
- speak to your child's teacher and discuss your concerns, or
- speak to the school SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
Talk to health professionals
- Your child's GP
Talk to SENDIASS about your concerns for advice and information.
How will my child be supported in school?
Most children and young people with SEND will have their needs met in local mainstream settings. This is called SEN support.
Some children and young people may not make expected progress, despite these efforts to identify, assess and meet the special educational need. In these cases, schools or parents may consider requesting an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA).
An EHCNA will not always lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan). However it may help to decide how the education setting can meet the child or young person’s needs without an EHC Plan.