What is SEND?

SEN means Special Educational Needs.

SEND means Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

According to the SEND Code of Practice (2015):

A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability that requires extra support in school or college. This may be because:

• they find it significantly harder to learn than others of the same age, or
• they have a disability that makes it difficult to access the education or training that is typically available to others.

This means they need special educational provision to help them learn and take part in school or college life.

The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as:

"a physical or mental condition that has a substantial and long-term impact on a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities"

While not all children or young people with a disability will have SEN, there is often an overlap. If a disabled child or young person needs extra educational support, they are considered to have SEN under the law.

Identifying special educational needs

Some children’s needs are spotted early. Doctors or health workers might notice something before, at, or just after birth.

Other times, you or someone else might see signs as the child grows.