Special educational needs (SEN) support
Nurseries, schools and colleges should be able to meet the needs of most children with special educational needs (SEN).
SEN support is the process staff use to identify and meet the needs of children with SEN.
If you have concerns about your child's progress, you can talk to the:
key worker (in nursery)
class teacher (in primary school)
form tutor or head of year (in secondary school)
tutor (in college)
They will discuss your concerns with you and may also talk to the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). You can also ask to speak to the SENCO.
SEN support is part of a 'step by step' approach to meeting need using the assess-plan-do-review cycle. It is often known as a 'graduated approach'.
Staff will identify children’s needs as early as possible, so that support is put in place, without waiting for more specialist assessments and advice.
Assess-plan-do-review
The SENCO or other members of staff will assess and may observe your child to see if they have any additional needs.
They will assess need in the four areas of:
Learning and cognition (thinking).
Language and communication.
Physical and sensory needs.
Social and emotional needs and mental wellbeing.
Staff will talk to you about your child's needs; you can ask questions and for information so that you are clear about the support that may be needed.
If your child has additional needs, the next step is to make a plan for their support.
Once your child’s needs have been identified, the support needed to help them to achieve will be agreed with you. These achievements are often referred to as outcomes. They will include educational outcomes and may also include outcomes about:
communication
social interaction
independence
developing interests
physical or mental health
From the age of 14, outcomes to help a young person who is preparing for adulthood will also be included.
It is important that all the outcomes are aspirational, relevant and realistic.
To achieve the outcomes, activities and support will be agreed to meet shorter term targets.
These targets and the support should be written into a plan called the SEN Support Plan. The plan will describe the activities, how often and where they will take place, such as in a small group, in the classroom or out of class.
The plan must say when it will be reviewed. This is usually once a term, but can be more often if necessary.
The nursery, school or college will put the plan into action.
You will be involved in reviewing how well the support has helped with achieving the targets and outcomes.
If any changes are needed you will agree these with the staff. Often children have made good progress and no longer need the support. Sometimes less progress than expected has been made and the support plan needs to be re-considered.
The assess, plan, do, review cycle can be repeated as many times as necessary.
Getting further advice
If your child continues to make less progress than expected, then the nursery, school or college can ask for help from other professionals. This could include:
specialist teachers or support services
therapists, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists
child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
Together, you, the SENCO and key worker or teacher and these professionals will consider a range of support options to help your child achieve the outcomes and make progress. Another review date will also be agreed.
Extra help
An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people who need more support than is available through SEN support.
EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.
If your child has more complex needs, they might need an EHC plan.
More information advice and support
You can contact the Information, Advice and Support Team for impartial advice.
Other services that offer information, advice and support:
IPSEA - Independent Parental Special Education Advice, a charity that offers legal advice, support and training to ensure children and young people with SEND access the right education.
Children's Education Advisory Service (CEAS) provides impartial advice about the education of service children.