Perhaps you are not sure the extent to which your child has SEN, or you already know they do.

What should your school or setting be doing to support them?

It is useful to be aware of the definition in the SEND Code of Practice at 6.15 – “A pupil has SEN where their learning difficulty or disability calls for special educational provision, namely provision different from or additional to that normally available to pupils of the same age.”

SEN support for children under 5  years old includes:

• a written progress check when your child is 2 years’ old
• a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child when they are aged 2-3 years’ old
• a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year in primary school
• making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, e.g providing aids like tactile signs

This support in mainstream nurseries, playgroups and child minders registered with Ofsted follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) which is there to ensure there is support for children with SEND.

Children and young people aged between 5-15 years

Talk to the teacher or SEN Coordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

• a special needs learning programme
• extra help from a teacher or assistant
• to work in a smaller group
• observation in class or at break time
• help to start or complete activities
• extra encouragement or help with their learning
  help communicating and playing with other children
• support with physical or personal care difficulties – for example eating problems, safety or using the toilet.
• help to regulate their emotions and behaviours
• help with literacy and maths
• movement breaks

Schools receive a notional SEN budget to provide what is known as SEN Support. This SEN Support takes the form of a four-part cycle: Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Speak to your SENCO about ensuring your child is being supported.  Take a look at your local authority’s Local Offer website to find out more about the approaches and policies to SEND in your schools.