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SEN Support

SEN Support



SEN Support Information

There are many organisations that help children with disabilities or learning difficulties and their parents. Others offer more general advice. In this section we list publications, web addresses and contact details of both national and local organisations that we hope will be useful. This list, however, cannot be exhaustive but more details can be obtained from your LA, your local library, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau or the local Council of Voluntary Service.

SEN Support Glossary Terms

  • EP

    Educational Psychologist

  • ANT

    Additional Needs Teacher

  • SN-IP

    Special Needs Informed Parents

  • SA/SAP or SA+

    School Action/School Action Plus

  • SENCo

    Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator

SEN Support Leaflets & Letters

SEN Support Documents

SEN Support News

  • Northants Review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion

    Posted : 28/07/2010

    The consultation documents for the SEN Review are now available. Link to the review from the News section in SEN Support. There will be two open events to enable parents and other interested groups to give their views as well as the written submissions that can be made on the attached form. Watch this space for dates and times of meetings and information on smaller consultative groups which will include parent participation.

SEN Support FAQs

  • If my child is identified as having special educational needs, what happens next?

    It is likely that their needs can be met in a mainstream school. The school should include you in discussions and decisions about your child and they should also try to get your child's views. It may be decided that extra help, a different way of teaching or special equipment is required. In early education settings this help is called Early Years Action and in schools it is known as School Action.

    Related Documents
  • What is the definition of SEN or Learning Difficulties?

    The Education Act 1996 says that 'a child has special educational needs if he or she has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.' It also says that 'a disability, which prevents or hinders them from making use of education facilities', amounts to a learning difficulty if it calls for special educational provision to be made. Special educational provision is provision that is additional to or otherwise different from that normally available in the area to children of the same age.

    The definition includes more children than those who have 'learning difficulties' in the commonly accepted sense. This is because the definition of learning difficulties in the legislation includes children who have a disability and who need something additional or different to be provided for them. So, for example, a child with a visual impairment who needs materials to be provided in an enlarged font is defined in the legislation as having a learning difficulty even if they are not behind in their learning.

  • How do I get help for my child who seems to be struggling at school?

    If the parents are unhappy with anything the school does when dealing with their child, they should talk first to the child's class teacher or subject teachers or the SENCO. They may also talk to the head teacher. They may take a friend or relative or an independent parental supporter with them. Representatives of the local parent partnership service or local voluntary organisations or parents' groups may also be able to help.

    Related Documents