These are some of the words and phrases in common use in
the area of special needs. If there are any missing that you think should
be here then do please let us know (use the Feedback
page to email us).
Academic Council
A group of schools, usually a secondary school and its associated
primary schools, which work closely together on curriculum development
and other issues
AEN
Additional Educational Needs (has replaced SEN in some places)
annual review
The review of a statement of special educational needs
audit
Stocktaking in a financial sense or listing provision
baseline assessment
The assessment of a child's aptitude and ability as s/he starts
school
benchmarking
Providing descriptions of what is expected or what has been achieved
best value
A more sophisticated concept than "value for money", taking
into account a range of factors, including quality and the wishes
of clients.
CAN
Complex Additional Needs
circle time
A technique for raising pupils' self-esteem in school
clusters
Groups (usually of schools) who cooperate for training/discussion
etc.
The Code of Practice
Detailed procedures for the assessment and recording of special
educational needs. To find out more click here.
Connexions
This is a support service for all 13 - 19 year olds. It will aid
in Transition Reviews and creating continuity during this difficult
period. Every young person will have access to a 'Personal Adviser'
to assist them.
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Formerly known as the DfES (Department for Education and Skills).
DFES
Now known as the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
EBD
Emotional and behavioural difficulties
EDP
Education development plan - a requirement by the government for
fully costed plans for educational development
EP
Educational psychologist
EWO
Education Welfare Officer
FE
Further education
FEFC
Further Education Funding Council
HIRB
Hearing impairment resource base
IEP
Individual Education Plan - A set of of short-term learning targetsset
down for a child with special educational needs. This is usually
put together by the SEN Coordinator and teachers, but parents and
pupils should always be involved
Inclusion
Educating all children, including those with special educational
needs, in mainstream (local) schools
joined-up thinking
The present govemment's emphasis on the need for departments to
work together (particularly where education, social services and
health are involved)
HE
Higher education
HI
Hearing impairment
intranet
A network of computers which allows a group to communicate
IT / ICT
Information technology (now called information and communication
technology)
LEA
Local education authority
Learning and Skills Council
(LSC)
LSCs have replaced the Further Education Funding Councils and the
Training and Enterprise Councils. They deal with all issues relating
to funding and training post-16.
Monitoring
The ongoing assessment of work, progress, expenditure or achievement
Multi-disciplinary
Involving professionals from a range of disciplies (usually Education,
Social Services and Health)
MSI / MNSI
Multi-sensory impairment or multi-needs sensory impairment
NAGSEN
National Advisory Group for Special Educational Needs
NDCS
National Deaf Children's Society
PMLD
Profound and multiple learning difficulties
QCA
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
RNIB
Royal National Institute for the Blind
SEN
Special educational needs
Sense
The National Deafblind and Rubella Association
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Coordinator - The member of school staff
responsible for organising provision, keeping IEPs up to date etc.
SI
Sensory impairment
SLD
Severe learning difficulties
SLT
Speech and language therapist
Statement of SEN
A legal document to recognise and provide for a pupil's special
educational needs
transition plan
An action plan following the review of a young person's statement
in Year 9. It is for the immediate future and post-16
Tribunal
A body to which parents can take grievances relating to statementing
procedures
tripartite funding
Funding with contributions from education, health and social services
TTA
Teacher Training Agency
VI
Visual impairment
web sites
Locations on the internet (or 'web') which have information on specific
subjects