About SEND

About SEN support

The Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice 2015 sets out what schools should do when they identify and begin to support children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). Chapter 6.44 is about SEN support in Schools.

SEN support means help that is additional to, or different from the support given to other children of the same age.

Every child or young person with SEND should have SEN support. This additional support is provided by your child's school, together with advice or involvement from other professionals.

The SEN support plan

If your child needs extra support at school, ask about a SEN Support plan.

Preparing a SEN support plan usually includes:

  • the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
  • your child's teacher
  • you
  • your child

The SEN support plan will show:

  • what support your child should get in school
  • how it will help your child to meet the agreed outcomes

The graduated approach

Support for children and young people with SEND follows a graduated approach cycle.

A graduated approach means your child's school should:

  • build up the level of support, if your child is not making the progress as hoped
  • plan how to deal with each area of SEND
  • make sure that their staff have the relevant training

SEN support

Special educational provision in schools is called SEN support.

SEN support has 4 stages:

  1. assessment: Your child’s needs will be assessed, and everyone will work out what support your child needs. Teachers and other professionals will work together with you and your child
  2. plan: Your child’s school will liaise closely with you and your child. If you and your child agree, the support will be put in place
  3. do: The school will support your child, as agreed in the plan
  4. review: Your child’s school will review what progress your child is making. You and your child will be asked how things are going and if your child is getting the support they need

Additional support

If your child has been having support at school but they are still not making expected progress, the school should consider Requesting an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment.

You are allowed to make a request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment. This EHC Needs Assessment will decide whether your child needs an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP.)

If your child’s school has identified that your child has an additional need, they can complete a SEND Request for Additional Support.

Any completed EHC Needs Assessment forms should be returned by email to: SEND@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.

If you have concerns

If you have concerns about the progress your child is making, you should talk to your child’s class teacher orthe SENCo at your child's school.
Alternatively, the school or setting may contact you to let you know if they have any concerns.