Special Educational Need (SEN)
The SEND code of practice
The SEND code of practice says:
- 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
- Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years
The four broad areas of need
- communication and interaction
- cognition and learning
- social, emotional and mental health
- sensory and/or physical needs
Available support for children with SEN
Every child with special educational needs should have access to SEN support, meaning help that is additional to or different from the support generally given to most of the other children of the same age. This support is to help children and young people achieve the outcomes and learning objectives which have been set for them. Support for SEN is not dependent on a medical diagnosis.
SEN support in schools
You can find out what SEN support schools offer by looking on their website at their SEN information report and SEN policies. Every school has a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) speak to them about the difficulties your child is having, and together you can discuss and plan support.
More information about SEN support in mainstream schools (PDF, 333KB)
SEN support in Early Years
Staff in Early Years settings have a responsibility for supporting every child’s learning, including children with special educational needs. Staff will also have regard to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.; this sets the standard that all Ofsted registered early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.
The Cheshire East Local Offer
The Cheshire East Local Offer includes information about the support and provision that families can expect from a wide range of agencies for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25 years old.
Information leaflets