Some children and young people require more help to learn and develop than children and young people of the same age, or they may have a disability which affects their day to day lives. If this is the case they may be classed as having special educational needs or disability (SEND) so they can get extra support. This could include anything from more accessible information to one-to-one support at school or college.

The SEND system changed in 2015. You will be able to find information on these changes in this guide.

What is SEN Support?

SEN Support is the process schools and other settings use to identify and meet the needs of children with SEN. They should alter support where necessary.
This used to be called Early Years/School Action and Early Years/School Action Plus.

Some children and young people with a learning disability need more support than their setting can provide with the resources they have. A setting could be a school or college or other educational setting. For example, some schools need some extra help from specialists like speech and language therapists and educational psychologists.
Some of this extra support may be provided through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and funded by the local authority. It used to be called a statement.

What is an Education, Health and Care Plan?

Some children and young people with a learning disability need more support than their setting can provide with the resources they have. A setting could be a school or college or other educational setting. For example, some schools need some extra help from specialists like speech and language therapists and educational psychologists.

Some of this extra support may be provided through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and funded by the local authority. It used to be called a statement.

Education, Health and Care Plans explained.

How do I get an EHCP?

Usually your school will arrange an EHC plan on your behalf. If you think you need one, you can talk to your parents or a teacher at your school.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks you need an assessment, including doctors, health visitors, and family friends.

You can request an assessment yourself if you are aged 16 to 25. To request an assessment, you should complete this request form.

What happens in an EHCP assessment?

What is an annual review?

How can an EHCP help you?