Finding out that your child has Special Educational Needs can be a stressful time and finding your way around the education system can seem daunting. This brief guide provides parents with the basics relating to identifying, assessing and making provision for children who have special needs.
SEN means Special Educational Needs. It refers to children who have learning difficulties or physical difficulties that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. Their needs mean that they may need additional support in order to learn effectively.
There are a number of different schools that your child could potentially attend. If you are receiving Portage, the workers may advise you on the best school for your child and may also accompany you to visit it. Make sure that you check out all options so that you feel confident that you have made the right choice for your child.
Independent schools are private schools that charge fees but may be approved as being suitable for children with SEN.
Maintained Schools are schools maintained by the Local Education authority. These include community schools, voluntary aided schools and foundation schools (nurseries).
Special School – A school specialising in teaching children with SEN. Different special schools will specialise in different areas some will be for children with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) some for children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD) and others for children with Severe or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (SLD/PMLD).
Non maintained special school – a special school that charges fees usually run by a charity or charitable trust.
Portage – home based educational support from teachers for pre-school children with SEN. Parents can request portage for their child.
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) A school or small centre run by the LEA to provide education for pupils who cannot attend mainstream or Special School due to ill health, exclusion etc.
Assessing a child for SEN
The document “The Code of Practice” is published by the DFES and gives guidance on special educational needs. This is the document referred to by professionals when considering a child’s needs.
Assessing a child under 2
If the LEA believes that your child may have SEN they may wish to carry out an assessment. Your consent is required if the child is under 2 years of age. You also have the right to request an assessment under this age. This assessment does not follow the statutory procedures that are applicable for children over 2. Statements for children under 2 are very rare and usually only made if a child has complex needs or requires a particular service such as home teaching.
Assessing a child over 2 for compulsory school
If your child is age 2 or over the LEA will inform you of its decision to assess your child and how this will happen. There are different stages in the assessment process. The first being Early Years Action – this is when intervention is agreed by a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator). Parents should be informed and consulted at this level regarding any further action to be taken.
Early Years Action Plus is the level that involves outside support services or more specialist advice to help the child’s development.
If the child needs further support a statutory assessment is requested. At this point the school and parents may consider a request for a statement. This request can be made by a parent or by a professional.
Educational Assessments
Some children will have been identified as having SEN prior to starting school although others may not be identified until they begin school. If you have any concerns about your child do express them and ask for an informal assessment. The levels for a formal assessment are as follows:
School Action – the SENCO identifies a child who may need additional support and parents are consulted and informed.
School Action Plus – A request for help from outside services or specialist help is made to help to meet the child’s needs.
Request for a Statutory Assessment. Where it is felt that the child needs additional support that the previous levels cannot meet, the school may ask for a statutory assessment for the child. The parents also have the right to ask for a statutory assessment but the LEA will still need to contact your child’s school for evidence of their needs. The assessment consists of a multi-professional examination to find out exactly what your child’s SEN is. Parents are also asked to give a report, you can include details of professionals who you would like the LEA to obtain reports from such as GP, therapist and teacher. If possible the assessment should include the views of your child. You should receive the name of a LEA officer who you can contact for advice should you require it. You should also be given the details of the local Parent Partnership Service who can help with details about other sources of help. Parental advice is sought during the assessment process if you have difficulty in writing your vies you can ask your Named LEA Officer for help. Remember that you are the expert on your child and your views and the information you provide are vital.
The Parent Partnership Service
This Service sometimes referred to as PPS provide independent advice, support and information to parents and carers whose children have SEN. All LEAs must have a Parent Partnership Service and therefore you should have access to one. The aim of the service is to ensure that parents have access to information, advice and guidance in relation to the SEN of their child so that they can make informed decisions. The Service can arrange for one of their Independent Parental Supporters to attend meetings with you if required. For details of your local Parent Partnership Service contact your LEA.
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