‘Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.’
This short definition emphasises the two key phrases that are part of the full legal description of special educational needs. This comes from the 1996 Education Act. You can find a copy of the legal definition in Paragraph 1:3 of the SEN Code of Practice.
What is a learning difficulty?
Children who have a learning difficulty find it harder to learn than the majority of children of the same age, or they may have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the education provided for other children.
Children do not have learning difficulties simply because their first language is not English. However some of these children may also have learning difficulties.
A learning difficulty might cause difficulties with:
- some or all of your child’s work
- reading, writing or number work
- your child’s ability to express themselves or understand information
- making friends or relating to adults
- behaviour in school
- personal organisation
- tasks or activities which depend on sensory or physical skills
What is special educational provision?
Special educational provision is the extra or different help given to children with special educational needs. For children under two years old any educational provision is special educational provision.
Special educational provision takes many different forms. Most children with special educational needs have support in their class. It might be additional or different help provided in a mainstream class for a small group or an individual child. It can include group work or individual support that takes place outside the classroom. It could also be attendance in a specialist class or in a special school.
How many children have special educational needs?
About 1 in 5 children may have special educational needs of some kind. Some children may have special educational needs for a relatively short time, others will have special needs right through their schooling. Some will have special needs in particular curriculum areas, but others may need help with all or most aspects of their education.
A small minority of children with very special needs may require a Statement of Special Educational Need. Your Parent Partnership Service can provide you with more information about this.
Where can I find out more?
You can ask any of the following people for more information about special
educational needs:
The Special Needs Educational Co-ordinator (SENCO) for your child’s early years setting
The Headteacher or SENCO at your child’s school
Your Parent Partnership Service
Want more information?
Don’t panic
If you have just found out that your child has special educational needs
or you have been given a medical diagnosis it can be difficult to know where
to turn for help.
One of the best things to do is to find out as much as you can about:
- your child's difficulties
- the organisations that can provide you with information and support
- who can help you locally
So here are some things you can do...
- Contact your local Parent Partnership Service. They offer advice, information and support to all parents of children with special educational needs. This is a free service which can help to put you in touch with other parents of children with similar needs, explain how schools and the Local Authority can help and, if appropriate, put you in contact with an Independent Parental Supporter. (You can find the contact details for all the Parent Partnership Services in the South West Region here.)
- Talk to the staff at your child's preschool setting or school. The Special Needs Co-ordinator will be able to advise and support you.
- Find out about the national organisations and voluntary bodies which may be relevant for you. Many of them will have local groups. Your Parent Partnership Service will be able to tell you what groups are available in your area. There are lots of links to other websites on this site – both in this section and on the LINKS pages.
- Look at the Department for Education and Skills website specially designed for parents. This covers all aspects of your child's education and includes a section on special educational needs. To find out more click here.
Can’t find what you are looking for?........Then:
- Contact your Parent Partnership Service - who will be able to tell you about the groups that exist in your area
- try a search e.g. about a particular voluntary body, on one of the main internet search engines such as www.google.com.