Children with special educational needs all have disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. These children may need extra or different help and support.

Children with special educational needs may need extra help because of a range of needs, such as in thinking and understanding, physical or sensory difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties, or difficulties with speech and language or how they relate to and behave with other people.

What can you do if you are worried that your child may be having difficulties?
Often, early childhood difficulties are identified by routine health checks.

You do not have to wait until these health checks take place, you can express your concerns at anytime. If your child is not at school it may be best to mention it to your doctor.

If your child is at nursery or school, you should mention it to the Headteacher or Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

Talk to school
You will find it best to talk to school staff in the first instance. They will be able to explain exactly how special educational needs are managed within their own school, and can reassure you about the procedures which may otherwise appear a little confusing. The school may also be already aware of some of the difficulties that your child is experiencing and they will value your views. You may be able to tell them about other events or factors which may be affecting your child's progress.

Meeting Special Educational Needs:
Schools and other organisations can help most children overcome the barriers their difficulties present quickly and easily. But a few children will need extra help for some or all of their time in school.

The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice gives guidance to educational settings. It sets out the processes and procedures that they should follow to meet the needs of children in their care. The Code describes how help for children with special educational needs should be made by a step by step approach.

The approach recognises that children learn in different ways and can have different kinds of levels of SEN. So increasingly, step by step, specialist expertise can be brought in to help the school with the difficulties that a child may have.

Step 1
The first step of help in early education settings is called Early Years Action, and in schools this is called School Action.

The school will tell you when they start giving extra or different help to your child. This may be a different teaching approach, help from an extra adult, small group work, or particular equipment.

They may decide to write down the actions or help for you child in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will be shared with you and your child.

Step 2
The second step of help is called Early Years Action Plus or School Action Plus.

If your child does not make enough progress the teacher should then talk to you about asking for advice from other people outside the school. This might include a specialist teacher, an educational psychologist, or health professionals.

Your school will keep you informed about your child’s progress and involve you in any discussions about how best to help them.

Step 3
Most children’s needs can be met by their school, and sometimes with the help of outside specialists. However if your child still does not seem to be making enough progress, or needs a lot more extra help, the school may refer them to the Local Authority for consideration of an assessment of their educational needs, based on specialist advice. Following a Statutory Assessment the Local Authority may decide that your child needs special help, and will write a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

What is a Statutory Assessment?
This is a detailed investigation to find out exactly what your child’s special educational needs are and what special help they need. It is only necessary if the school cannot provide the help that is required.

When the Local Authority is asked to carry out a Statutory Assessment they will consider very carefully your child’s progress at school. They will also listen to your views, those made by the school, and the views of those who are able to provide specialist help and support. Once all this information has been considered the Local Authority will tell you whether they will carry out an Assessment.

Who can ask for a Statutory Assessment?
You, as a parent, an early education setting, or the school, can ask for an assessment to be carried out. However we advise that you work closely with your child’s school, as it is them that will be able to provide the most detailed information.

Referring for Statutory Assessment

For further information about how to make a parental referral please contact a member of the SEN team.

What if the Local Authority decide not to assess my child?
The Local Authority would inform you of this decision, and their reasons why. It may be that your child’s needs can be appropriately met with the help that is already being provided in school.

You have the right to appeal if you are not satisfied, and initially this should be done by contacting the Special Educational Needs Team, who will be able to advise you about the appeal process and the steps through mediation.