What are Special Educational Needs (SEN) and how are they addressed?

These questions and answers provide information about Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and how children can be supported in their learning.

Q: How can I find out if my child has special educational needs?

A: All children are special, all children have needs and many children experience a difficulty with their learning or the way they behave at some time during their school life. Some learning difficulties are obvious from an early age and parents may be aware of these difficulties almost as soon as their child is born. In other cases the difficulties may not be noticed until the child is at school.

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Q: What are the basic principles of SEN?

A: •All children with special educational needs should have their needs met. •The special educational needs of children are normally met in mainstream early education settings or schools. •Parents / carers, children and young people should be asked for their views •Parents / carers have a vital role in supporting their child's education. •Children with special educational needs should receive a broad, well-balanced and relevant education.

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Q: What is Inclusion?

A: Inclusion is the process of educating children and young people, with or without special educational needs, together in mainstream education.

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Q: What is the SEN Code of Practice?

A: The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice sets out how to identify and assess children with special educational needs. All services supporting a child with SEN must consider the SEN Code of Practice.

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Q: What is Early Years Action and School Action?

A: Early education settings and schools place great importance on identifying special educational needs early so that they can help children as quickly as possible. Once it has been decided that a child has SEN, teachers will take account of the guidance in the SEN Code of Practice. A programme will be written that sets out what steps the school intends taking to address a child's special educational needs. Specialist expertise can be brought in to help the school meet the child's needs. All schools must consider the SEN Code of Practice.

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Q: Are parents / carers consulted?

A: Schools must tell parents / carers when they first start giving additional help to their child. Help could be given in a small group, or by use of specialist equipment. Additional support in early education settings this help is called Early Years Action and in schools this is called School Action.

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Q: What is Early Years Action Plus and School Action Plus?

A: If a child does not make enough progress, the teacher or the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), will talk to the parents / carers about asking for advice from other specialist help, for example, from a specialist teacher, an educational psychologist, a speech and language therapist or other health professionals. This kind of help is called Early Years Action Plus or School Action Plus.

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Q: What are Statements of Special Educational Needs?

A: Many children, at some time, will have special educational needs of some kind. The law says that all state schools must do their best to see that special help is provided for all children with SEN. Most children's needs can be met by their mainstream school, sometimes with the help of outside specialists. Some cases are more complex and the local authority (LA) may need to make an assessment of a child's educational needs, based on specialist advice. If the LA then decides that the child needs special help, they may write a Statement of Special Educational Needs. This describes all the child's needs and the special help that he/she needs. Mainstream school can usually provide this support.

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Q: How long does a Statement last?

A: A Statement will last for as long as it is required by a child in school and it is reviewed every year. The LA writes to parents / carers after each Annual Review to say whether the Statement needs to continue, change or cease together with an explanation for the decision. Further information, including rights of appeal.

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Q: What is the Parent Partnership Service?

A: The Parent Partnership Service provides support to parents of children with special educational needs. They provide accurate and independent advice on all available options; they do not 'take sides'. They help parents to make informed decisions about their children's education.

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Q: What is the Disagreement Resolution Service?

A: The Local Authority provides a Disagreement Resolution Service. The service can sort out disagreements between parents/carers and the LA or school (this will only include independent schools where they are named in the Statement). The service is designed to be a way of resolving problems quickly and informally, and does not affect rights of appeal to the SEN Tribunal.

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Q: Does SEN stop at 16?

A: Depending on a young person's interest and ability, he/she can stay on at a mainstream or special school with a 6th form, move to a college of further education or into work-based training. Further education is available for all young people over the age of 16. A Statement of SEN will only remain in place when a young person over 16 remains at school.

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Q: Who are Connexions and what do they do?

A: The Connexions Service helps all young people aged 13 - 19 prepare for the transition to work and adult life. The Connexions Service assesses what a young person will need in order to continue with education or training when he/she leaves school. Connexions works with further education and training providers to make sure that young people, including those with Statements, receive the help they need. The Connexions Service and schools can give further help and advice the choices open to a young person (14 to 19).

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