Statutory assessment and EHCPs

This page explains the statutory assessment process and the role of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It outlines when an assessment may be needed, what to expect at each stage, and how families and professionals can work together to plan the right support.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

This guide explains what Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are, who they are for, and how they help children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the right support across education, health, and social care.

About SEN support

Special Educational Needs (SEN) support helps children and young people who need extra help to learn and thrive. This page explains what SEN support is, how it works in schools and settings, and the steps involved in getting the right help for your child.

The 4 Types of SEND

This page introduces the four main types of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping you understand each category and how they may affect a child’s learning and development.

The four main types of SEND are:

  • communication and interaction
  • cognition and learning
  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
  • physical and/or sensory needs

Communication and interaction

Children and young people with communication and interaction difficulties may have difficulty: