Understanding SEND
A child or young person may have Special Educational Needs (SEN) if they have a learning difficulty or disability that requires special educational provision beyond what is normally available.
The SEND Code of Practice identifies four broad areas of need:
Communication and Interaction
Including:
- Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
- Speech and Language Difficulties
- Social Communication Difficulties
Cognition and Learning
Including:
- Dyslexia
- Learning Disabilities
- Moderate Learning Difficulties
- Severe Learning Difficulties
Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Including:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Trauma-related difficulties
- Behaviour linked to unmet needs
Sensory and Physical Needs
Including:
- Hearing Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Multi-sensory Impairment
- Physical Disabilities
- Medical Conditions
Useful links:
- SEND Code of Practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
- SEND Guide for Parents: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers
SEN Support
Most children with SEND receive support through SEN Support without needing an EHCP.
Schools should follow the:
Assess
Identify needs.
Plan
Agree support and outcomes.
Do
Provide interventions and support.
Review
Monitor progress and update support.
Parents and young people should be involved throughout this process.
Support may include:
- Additional teaching support
- Small group work
- Specialist interventions
- Assistive technology
- Communication support
- Emotional wellbeing support
- Reasonable adjustments
SEND Support Plans
Schools often create support plans outlining:
- Identified needs
- Support provided
- Targets and outcomes
- Review dates
- Responsible staff
Parents should request copies of plans and review notes.
Useful evidence includes:
- Progress reports
- Assessment results
- Attendance data
- Behaviour records
- Professional reports
- Medical evidence
Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs)
An EHCP is a legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 whose needs cannot be met through ordinary SEN Support.
An EHCP may include:
Education Needs
- Learning support
- Specialist teaching
- Therapy support
Health Needs
- Medical support
- Therapy provision
Social Care Needs
- Family support
- Short breaks
- Personal care support
EHCPs are legally enforceable.
Local authorities must secure the educational provision specified in Section F of an EHCP.
Useful links:
EHCP Needs Assessments
Parents, schools or young people over compulsory school age can request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.
An assessment may be appropriate where:
- Progress remains limited despite support
- Needs are complex
- Specialist provision is required
- Multiple professionals are involved
Evidence often includes:
- School reports
- Educational psychologist assessments
- Medical evidence
- Therapy reports
- Attendance records
- SEND support documentation
Parents can request assessments directly from their local authority.
Find your local authority:
EHCP Reviews
EHCPs should remain accurate and reflect current needs.
Reviews should consider:
- Educational progress
- Health needs
- Social care needs
- Placement suitability
- Outcomes achieved
- Additional support required
Parents and young people should receive review paperwork before meetings and have opportunities to contribute.
EHCP Annual Reviews
By law, EHCPs must normally be reviewed at least once every 12 months.
Annual Reviews should:
- Assess progress
- Consider professional advice
- Update outcomes
- Review provision
- Consider placement suitability
Parents should:
- Submit written views
- Review evidence carefully
- Request amendments where needed
- Keep copies of all documents
EHCP Appeals
Parents and young people may appeal decisions relating to:
- Refusal to assess
- Refusal to issue an EHCP
- Contents of the EHCP
- School placement
- Ceasing an EHCP
Useful links:
- Appeal an EHCP Decision: https://www.gov.uk/appeal-ehc-plan-decision
- SEND Tribunal: https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-special-educational-needs-and-disability
SEND Tribunal Process
The SEND Tribunal is independent from local authorities.
Appeals commonly involve:
- Refusal to assess
- Refusal to issue plans
- Provision disputes
- Placement disputes
Good evidence includes:
- Professional reports
- Educational assessments
- Medical evidence
- School records
- Expert witness reports
- Parent evidence
Tribunal decisions are legally binding.
Useful support:
- IPSEA: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
- SOS!SEN: https://www.sossen.org.uk/
Autism & School
Autistic children may need support with:
- Communication
- Sensory processing
- Predictability
- Social interaction
- Anxiety management
Helpful adjustments may include:
- Visual timetables
- Quiet spaces
- Structured routines
- Sensory accommodations
- Reduced transitions
Useful links:
- National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/
ADHD & School
Children with ADHD may experience difficulties with:
- Attention
- Organisation
- Impulse control
- Emotional regulation
Support may include:
- Movement breaks
- Seating adjustments
- Task chunking
- Visual reminders
- Flexible approaches to learning
Useful links:
- ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/
Dyslexia Support
Dyslexia may affect:
- Reading
- Spelling
- Writing
- Processing speed
Support may include:
- Phonics interventions
- Assistive technology
- Extra exam arrangements
- Alternative learning methods
Useful links:
- British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/
Dyspraxia Support
Dyspraxia may affect:
- Coordination
- Organisation
- Handwriting
- Planning tasks
Support may include:
- Occupational therapy
- Adapted equipment
- Alternative recording methods
Useful links:
- Dyspraxia Foundation: https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/
Learning Disabilities
Children with learning disabilities may require:
- Specialist teaching
- Adapted curriculum
- Additional support staff
- Personalised learning plans
Useful links:
- Mencap: https://www.mencap.org.uk/
Sensory Impairments
Children with hearing or visual impairments may need:
- Specialist equipment
- Communication support
- Adapted resources
- Qualified specialist teachers
Useful links:
- RNIB: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
- National Deaf Children's Society: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/
Physical Disabilities
Schools should work to remove barriers to participation.
Support may include:
- Accessible classrooms
- Mobility support
- Personal care arrangements
- Adapted equipment
- Specialist transport
Useful links:
- Scope: https://www.scope.org.uk/
School Accessibility
Schools must plan to improve accessibility for disabled pupils.
Accessibility may include:
- Physical access
- Curriculum access
- Communication access
- Information in alternative formats
Useful links:
- Equality Act School Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools
Reasonable Adjustments
Under equality law, schools have duties to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.
Examples include:
- Extra time
- Rest breaks
- Adapted materials
- Flexible timetables
- Specialist equipment
- Communication support
Adjustments should be individual and evidence-based.
SEND Complaints
Concerns should usually be raised through:
Step 1
School SENCO.
Step 2
Headteacher.
Step 3
School complaints process.
Step 4
Governors or Academy Trust.
Step 5
Local Authority.
Step 6
Tribunal or Ombudsman where appropriate.
Useful links:
- Complain About a School: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school
- Local Government Ombudsman: https://www.lgo.org.uk/
SEND Advocacy
Advocacy helps families understand and exercise their rights.
Advocates can:
- Attend meetings
- Explain processes
- Help prepare evidence
- Support appeals
- Challenge unlawful decisions
Useful services:
SENDIASS
Independent Information, Advice and Support Services:
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network
IPSEA
SOS!SEN
Contact
Legal Rights
Children, young people and families may have rights under:
- Children and Families Act 2014
- Equality Act 2010
- SEND Regulations
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Education Acts
- Data Protection legislation
Rights may include:
- Appropriate educational provision
- Participation in decisions
- Access to assessments
- Appeals and complaints
- Freedom from discrimination
- Reasonable adjustments
- Access to information
Evidence Standards
Strong evidence is often essential.
Keep:
- School reports
- EHCP documents
- Emails
- Attendance records
- Behaviour records
- Medical evidence
- Therapy reports
- Professional assessments
- Meeting notes
- Review paperwork
Create a timeline showing:
- Dates
- Concerns raised
- Support requested
- Responses received
- Impact on the child
- Outcomes sought
Evidence should be factual, organised and child-focused.
Accountability & Escalation
If support is not being provided:
- Raise concerns with the school.
- Request written responses.
- Escalate through complaints procedures.
- Contact SENDIASS.
- Seek specialist advice.
- Use mediation where available.
- Appeal to the SEND Tribunal where appropriate.
- Escalate to Ombudsman services when relevant.
Always keep copies of correspondence and decisions.
Quick Help Directory
SEND Information
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers
SEND Code of Practice
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
EHCP Information
https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help
EHCP Appeals
https://www.gov.uk/appeal-ehc-plan-decision
SEND Tribunal
https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-special-educational-needs-and-disability
SENDIASS
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-and-support-services-network
IPSEA
SOS!SEN
Contact
Equality Rights
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools
School Complaints
https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-school
Ombudsman
Key Message
SEND support should be based on the child's individual needs, strengths and aspirations. Children, young people and families have important legal rights, including the right to participate in decisions, challenge unlawful decisions, access support and seek accountability when educational needs are not being met. Early intervention, strong evidence, informed advocacy and understanding of legal rights can significantly improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
What Is SEND Law Now – and What Is Only Proposed?
The current statutory SEND and EHC plan system in England still operates under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Regulations 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years.
Key EHC Plan Timescales
6 weeks
The local authority must normally decide whether it will carry out an EHC needs assessment within 6 weeks of receiving the request, subject to the statutory exceptions.
16 weeks
Following the assessment process, the authority should normally tell the parent or young person by week 16 whether it intends to issue an EHC plan.
20 weeks
Where a plan is issued, the whole process from request to final EHC plan should normally take no more than 20 weeks, subject to the statutory exceptions.
At least 15 days
A parent or young person must normally be given at least 15 days to make representations on a draft EHC plan and request a particular school or institution.
12-month review
EHC plans must normally be reviewed at least every 12 months. Some children under 5 require more frequent consideration under the SEND framework.
4 weeks after review meeting
The local authority should normally notify the parent or young person whether it will maintain, amend or cease the plan within 4 weeks of the review meeting.
How Many Children & Young People Have SEND?
Department for Education statistics show the scale of identified SEND in England. The school census and the EHC plan collection measure slightly different populations, so the figures should not be mixed without understanding the definitions.
SEND Tribunal – Current Appeal Forms & Help
The First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) is independent of the local authority. It can hear specified EHC plan appeals and disability discrimination claims relating to schools.
SEND35
Used for specified appeals about EHC plans. HMCTS updated the form page on 9 February 2026. An online appeal service is also available.
SEND35SEND35A
Used to appeal a refusal to secure an EHC needs assessment. The GOV.UK service was updated on 5 March 2026 to add the online service.
SEND35ADisability Discrimination
The SEND Tribunal also has forms for parents and young people making school disability discrimination claims under the Equality Act.
All SEND Tribunal FormsAppeal Deadline
For EHC appeals, the tribunal must normally receive the appeal within 2 months of the decision letter or 1 month from the mediation certificate, whichever is later.
Official Appeal GuideEHC Plan Personal Budgets & Direct Payments
A parent or young person can ask the local authority to identify a personal budget when an EHC plan is being prepared or reviewed. This identifies money that may be used to secure some provision in the plan.
A personal budget does not automatically mean the family receives cash. Depending on the arrangements, provision may be delivered through a direct payment, an arrangement managed by the local authority or another organisation, or a combination.
SEND / Additional Needs Across the UK
England – SEND & EHC Plans
England uses SEN Support and EHC plans under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Regulations 2014.
England SEND GuidanceWales – ALN & IDPs
Wales uses the Additional Learning Needs system. Additional Learning Provision is recorded in an Individual Development Plan (IDP). Welsh Government added new supplementary ALN guidance in March 2026.
Wales – Additional Learning Needs Parents & Carers GuidanceScotland – Additional Support for Learning
Scotland uses the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 framework. Education authorities must identify, provide for and review additional support needs. A refreshed Code of Practice was published in February 2026.
Scotland – Additional Support 2026 Code of PracticeNorthern Ireland – SEN
Northern Ireland has its own SEN legislation and Code of Practice, including the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, SENDO 2005 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.
Northern Ireland SEN Northern Ireland SEN Code