A child or young person has special educational needs and disabilities if they have a learning difficulty and/or a disability that means they need special health and education support, we shorten this to SEND.
All children and young people have the right to access their education and to reach their potential. Settings must make all reasonable adjustments to meet individual needs.
This might include;
This is to ensure that disabled children and young people are not at a substantial disadvantage compared with their peers.
Learning & Development
Settings should know precisely where children and young people with SEN are in their learning and development.
They should;
Always check that the approaches used are based on the best possible evidence and are having the required impact on progress.
In Professional Settings
If a child or young person with special educational needs and / or disabilities is attending, or is about to attend your setting, gathering information is key. This will help you understand the challenges the child may face in their setting.
Other Things to Consider
There may be a range of other professionals involved in the child’s care. With the consent of parents and carers, contacting them can help build a clear picture of how best to support the child.
Your settings SENCo will be able to offer support to the wider team and coordinate involved professionals.
There may be a requirement for additional training to meet the child’s needs and to ensure professionals safety.
Regular review of the plan and how well this is meeting the child’s needs - which may change over time, is important.
Further Information
Education Health & Care Plans (EHCP)
When expected progress is not met despite the setting haven taken action to identify, assess and meet the special educational needs of the child, the child has not made expected progress, the setting should consider requesting an Education Health and Care needs Assessment.
It is intended to ensure that children and young people with an EHCP receive the support they need. The special educational needs provision stated in an EHCP must be provided.
Looked After Children
Local authorities should be particularly aware of the need to avoid any delays for looked after children and carry out the EHC assessment in the shortest possible timescale.
Addressing a looked after child's special educational needs will be a crucial part of avoiding breakdown in their care placement.
Resources
E-Learning
'All Our Health' offer free, bite-sized e-learning sessions - to improve the knowledge, confidence and skills of health and care professionals in preventing illness, protecting health and promoting wellbeing. The sessions cover some of the biggest issues in public health including;
They contain signposting to trusted sources of helpful evidence, guidance and support to help professionals embed prevention in their everyday practice.
Shelf Help - Reading Well
