If you're new to SEND

Where to start

You know your child best, and you've noticed they find some things difficult. This could be talking, eating, or going to the toilet. If they’re at school, they might find it harder to learn than their friends.

When you first hear about SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), it can feel overwhelming. You might not know where to go or who to talk to. You're not alone and our webpages are a great place to begin.

Here are some helpful first steps:

Learn more about your child’s needs: What is SEND? Understanding their difficulties can help you find the right support.
Explore common SEND terminology: Our simple glossary of terms explains the words and phrases you might hear during meetings, assessments, and conversations with professionals.
Connect with local support groups: Meeting other families can make a big difference and remind you that you’re not doing this on your own.
Stay organised: There may be appointments, reports, and meetings to keep track of. Simple systems can help reduce stress.
Contact SENDIASS: They offer independent information, advice, and support for parents, carers, and young people.

What kind of support can you get for your child

Help with learning

All early years settings, schools and colleges must support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This everyday support is called ordinarily available provision (OAP). This support should be in place for all children and young people, whether or not they have a diagnosis or SEND.

Find out about:

Support settings offer
The role of your SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

Help with health

If you're worried about any aspect of your child's physical or mental health, your GP is a good first point of contact.

There are also specialist health teams in Walsall who can offer additional support depending on your child’s needs.

Support for parents and carers

It’s important that you look after yourself. It's easy to forget this when you’re caring for children.