About 1 in 5 children may have a Special Educational Need (SEN) 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.
Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
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:
- 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 is a need identified?
- You may notice differences yourself when your child is mixing with other children of a similar age.
- Your health visitor may bring it to your attention following a milestone assessment.
- Your child’s pre-school Special Educational Need Co-ordinator (SENCO), may make a suggestion.
- If your child has already started school the class teacher, school SENCO or Head Teacher may approach you.
What do I do if I think my child may have Special Educational Needs?
- If your child is of pre-school age talk to your health visitor or doctor.
- If your child is already attending or about to start a pre-school, such as a nursery or play group, discuss your concerns with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO).
- If your child is attending school talk to their teacher, the SENCO, or the Head Teacher.
- Whatever the age of your child you can contact the SENSS team, Wiltshire’s parent partnership service based at ask.
What happens if my child has Special Educational Needs?
All special arrangements made by pre-school settings, schools or the Local Authority (LA) for meeting Special Educational Needs, are governed by The Code of Practice. This is written by the DfES.
It gives parents or carers, children and young people a number of rights about what you can expect from schools and from the LA.
If your child is under 5 and has been identified as needing specialist provision, the health service must tell the LA as well as giving you information about support services available to you.
If the LA becomes involved they will need your assistance. They will want to work in partnership with you. Your views about your child’s needs are particularly important.
