What is SEN?
In the UK, special educational needs (SEN) refer to a wide range of learning difficulties or disabilities that require special support to meet the educational and developmental needs of children and young people.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice sets out guidelines for identifying, assessing, and providing support for children and young people with SEN in England.
The Code of Practice identifies 4 broad areas of SEN:
Communication and interaction: Children and young people with difficulties in communicating with others or forming relationships may have conditions such as autism, speech and language impairments, or hearing impairments.
Cognition and learning: Children and young people with difficulties in learning may have conditions such as specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia), moderate learning difficulties, or severe learning difficulties.
Social, emotional, and mental health difficulties: Children and young people with difficulties in managing their emotions, behaviour, or mental health may have conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, or conduct disorders.
Sensory and/or physical needs: Children and young people with difficulties in hearing, seeing, or moving may have conditions such as visual impairment, hearing impairment, or physical disabilities.
In the UK, children with SEN may be entitled to additional support and resources, including extra help in the classroom, special educational provision, and specialized equipment. Local authorities are responsible for assessing and meeting the needs of children with SEN in their area, in consultation with parents or carers and education providers. Additionally, the UK government provides funding for SEN provision through the Dedicated Schools Grant and the High Needs Block Grant.
What is an EHCP?
An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document that outlines the special educational needs (SEN) support a child or young person requires in England. An EHCP is developed by the local authority in consultation with the child or young person, their parents or carers, and education, health, and social care professionals. EHCPs replace the previous statement of special educational needs and are intended to provide a more person-centered approach to meeting a child or young person’s needs.
An EHCP outlines the child or young person’s needs, their goals, and the support and provision required to meet those needs. The plan covers education, health, and social care needs and sets out how the child or young person’s education and development will be supported. The plan can include provisions such as specialist teaching or equipment, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and social care support.
EHCPs are designed for children and young people with more complex and significant SEN needs who require support that cannot be provided through normal school or college resources. The EHCP process involves assessments by different professionals to identify the child or young person’s needs and develop a plan that provides appropriate support.
Parents or carers can request an assessment for an EHCP if they believe their child has SEN needs that cannot be met by their school or college’s normal resources. If the assessment finds that the child or young person requires an EHCP, the local authority will issue the plan, and regular reviews will be carried out to ensure it continues to meet their needs.
What are the different types of Specialist Schools in the UK?
In the UK, there are several different types of specialist schools that cater to the needs of children and young people with a range of special educational needs (SEN). Here are some of the most common types of specialist schools:
Private specialist schools
It is worth noting that some specialist schools may cater to specific types of SEN, such as autism or hearing impairment, while others may cater to a broader range of needs. The type of school that is most suitable for a child or young person will depend on their individual needs and circumstances.
* “Maintained” and “Mainstream” – don’t get confused
The word “Maintained” defines a school/institution by reference to how it is controlled, e.g., most commonly, a school maintained by a local authority (which may happen also to be a mainstream school, but it could also be a special school). The word “Mainstream” defines a school/institution not by who controls it but by its provision, and this generally refers to provision other than special schools, hospital schools, alternative provision, and the like.