Information and guidance for children, young people, families, carers, students and adult learners — including EHCPs, SEND, autism, ADHD, school support, safeguarding, qualifications and skills.
Start with one of the main information hubs below, or browse the education and learning subjects further down the page.
Every child and young person deserves access to education that recognises their individual needs, abilities and potential. Right First Time UK provides accessible information to help parents, carers, students and families understand education rights, available support and the responsibilities of schools and local authorities.
Understanding disability rights advocacy can be particularly important when a child or young person experiences barriers to learning, communication, inclusion or accessing suitable educational provision.
Learn about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), SEN Support, inclusive education and the responsibilities of educational settings. Understand what extra support may be available and where to start when a learner needs something different.
Explore EHCP assessment requests, evidence, decisions, annual reviews, mediation and appeals. Our guides help families understand the process and locate the official information that applies in their circumstances.
Find information about reasonable adjustments, communication, sensory differences, learning needs and practical school support. An individual approach is important because learners do not all experience the same barriers or need the same assistance.
Read guidance about emotionally based school avoidance, bullying, safeguarding and school attendance. Find out how to record concerns and explore the appropriate school, local authority or independent complaint route.
In England, the Equality Act 2010 and the Children and Families Act 2014 are important parts of the legal framework for disability and SEND support. Depending on the circumstances, schools, colleges and local authorities may have duties relating to reasonable adjustments, identifying special educational needs and arranging appropriate provision. The rules and appeal routes differ across the UK, so check which nation's system applies.
Parents and young people can seek information about assessments, written decisions, evidence, education rights and advocacy, complaints and tribunal appeals. Keeping copies of correspondence, support plans and professional reports can make it easier to explain what has happened and identify the next step.
Effective disability rights advocacy begins with understanding relevant rights, keeping clear records and knowing which organisation is responsible. Our hub also covers further education, qualifications, apprenticeships, adult learning and accessible routes to developing skills.
Right First Time UK provides public information and signposting to help families navigate education systems and locate official guidance. We do not replace schools, local authorities, specialist SEND advisers or qualified legal professionals. Use the guides below to explore your situation and seek appropriate professional help when needed.
Education, Health and Care Plans, assessment requests, timescales, sections, evidence, reviews, appeals, mediation, placements and support.
OPEN EHCP INFORMATION HUBAutism, learning, reasonable adjustments, sensory differences, attendance, behaviour, EHCPs, evidence, complaints and support.
OPEN AUTISM & SCHOOLADHD, learning, school support, adjustments, attendance, behaviour, EHCPs, evidence, complaints and advocacy.
OPEN ADHD & SCHOOLSEND support, additional needs, education rights, assessments, plans, accessibility and family support.
OPEN SEND & ADDITIONAL NEEDSA visual learning and communication guide for teachers, parents, carers and young people, with classroom and home activities plus the interactive game.
OPEN EMOTION WHEEL GUIDEThe Department for Education has published free in-house SEND and inclusion training materials for mainstream schools and post-16 settings in England. The materials are designed to build confidence in inclusive teaching and help staff respond to individual needs.
Free materials for teachers and teaching assistants include facilitator guidance, editable slides, evidence summaries, case studies and practical classroom strategies. Most sessions are designed to take around an hour and can be used separately or as part of a training day.
OPEN DfE SCHOOL TRAININGA separate package is available for teachers and support staff in mainstream post-16 settings, with further modules due to be released in early 2027.
OPEN POST-16 TRAININGThe materials cover universal approaches, adaptations and additional support, with practical evidence-informed strategies for primary and secondary classrooms.
INCLUSIVE TEACHING MATERIALSDedicated training covers speech, language and communication needs, classroom challenges and inclusive teaching approaches for pupils with SLCN.
OPEN SLCN TRAININGThese official GOV.UK sections are useful starting points for public education information, from birth and childcare through schools, apprenticeships, higher education and adult…
OPEN GUIDEEvery child of compulsory school age has the right to receive a suitable full-time education, either at school or otherwise, such as elective home education.
OPEN GUIDEChildren and young people with SEND may have additional rights under:
OPEN GUIDEChildren often benefit when families are actively involved in education.
OPEN GUIDEEarly years education covers learning and care from birth to age 5. In England, registered early years providers must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage , known as the EYFS.…
OPEN GUIDEChildren usually start Reception in the school year after their 4th birthday. Parents and carers can prepare by:
OPEN GUIDEChoosing the right secondary school involves more than academic performance. Every child has different strengths, interests, learning styles and support needs.
OPEN GUIDEIn England, parents have a legal responsibility to ensure that children of compulsory school age receive a suitable full-time education.
OPEN GUIDERegular school attendance is important for children's education, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.
OPEN GUIDESchool refusal is often better understood as Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) where a child or young person experiences significant emotional distress connected with…
OPEN GUIDEBullying is repeated behaviour intended to hurt, intimidate, isolate or control another person. It can happen in school, outside school, online or through social groups.
OPEN GUIDEEducation Welfare Services usually support schools, children and families with attendance, welfare and barriers to education.
OPEN GUIDEOnline safety means helping children use digital spaces safely, confidently and responsibly.
OPEN GUIDEA practical emotional-literacy resource for teachers, parents, carers and young people. Learn how to use the Emotion Wheel at school and at home, with SEND-friendly communication ideas, activities and a link to the interactive learning game.
OPEN EMOTION WHEEL GUIDEA 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…
OPEN GUIDESEND Support is help for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities who need extra or different support to learn, participate, communicate, regulate…
OPEN GUIDEhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers
OPEN GUIDEDevelopmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person's ability to understand and/or use spoken language.
OPEN GUIDEGlobal Developmental Delay (GDD) is a term commonly used for children under five years old who are significantly delayed in two or more areas of development, such as movement,…
OPEN GUIDEPortage Home Visiting Services are specialist early years educational support services for babies and young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND),…
OPEN GUIDEAutistic pupils do not all need the same support. Effective school support begins with the individual child: their strengths, communication, learning, sensory profile, wellbeing,…
OPEN GUIDEAn Education, Health and Care Plan, known as an EHCP, is a legal document for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is usually available through…
OPEN GUIDEThe current SEND Code of Practice is statutory guidance for England's SEND system for children and young people aged 0 to 25.
OPEN GUIDEAutistic children and young people have the right to access education that is safe, inclusive and suited to their individual needs.
OPEN GUIDEAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, activity levels and executive functioning.
OPEN GUIDEElective Home Education (EHE) means parents choose to provide education themselves rather than send their child to school.
OPEN GUIDEAlternative education is not a lesser form of education. It is intended to ensure that children and young people can continue learning in environments that meet their individual…
OPEN GUIDESchools and colleges should promote wellbeing, identify concerns early and help learners access support. GOV.UK guidance supports schools and colleges to promote mental health and…
OPEN GUIDESATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national curriculum assessments taken by many pupils in England during primary education.
OPEN GUIDEFurther Education generally refers to education after Year 11 and before higher education (university).
OPEN GUIDEUCAS is the main application service for undergraduate courses in the UK.
OPEN GUIDEApprentices work alongside experienced staff while gaining recognised qualifications.
OPEN GUIDEYoung people should be encouraged to explore a range of options and understand that career journeys are often flexible and change over time.
OPEN GUIDEStudent Finance helps eligible higher education students pay for university and related costs.
OPEN GUIDEAdult learning can help people gain qualifications, improve confidence, develop new skills, change careers, support family learning, increase independence and improve employment…
OPEN GUIDEWhat adult learning is, where it happens, course types, qualifications and how to choose a suitable route
OPEN GUIDEEmail, online forms, workplace technology, digital safety, AI awareness and free essential digital qualifications
OPEN GUIDEReading, writing, spelling, communication, Functional Skills English, GCSE English and ESOL routes
OPEN GUIDEEveryday maths, Functional Skills Maths, GCSE Maths, budgeting, work skills and current free-learning routes
OPEN GUIDELocal, flexible and often low-cost learning for skills, confidence, family learning, wellbeing and employability
OPEN GUIDEPractical support for adults returning after a long break, caring responsibilities, illness, redundancy or a change in circumstances
OPEN GUIDEHow to raise concerns about colleges, training providers, higher education, qualifications, disability support, fees and data
OPEN GUIDEThis Education & Learning hub was reviewed on 25 September 2026 following the Department for Education's new SEND and inclusion training publications. Individual guides should still be checked against the current official source where rules, deadlines or statutory guidance apply.
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