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Identifying SEND

Identifying special education needs and disabilities (SEND)

What is SEND

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most other children and young people of the same age.

This could include difficulties with:

  • reading, writing, number work or understanding information
  • expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
  • making friends or relating to adults
  • understanding and following rules and routines

If you are worried about your child’s development, the first step is to speak with your child’s school, nursery, doctor or health visitor. We have more information about who to talk to first and how to get an assessment of your child’s needs.  

Types of SEND

The SEND code of practice: 0-25 years sets out four main areas of SEND.

These are:

A child or young person often has needs that cut across all of these areas and their needs may change over time.

Receiving a diagnosis

Finding out that your child has a special educational need or disability can be a confusing and emotional time.

It is not always clear what the learning disability is or what caused it.

As well as dealing with your own emotions, you may need to offer support to other family members.

When might diagnosis happen

Diagnosis may happen pre-birth.

A disability may develop before birth due to:

  • the baby suffering damage to the brain or spinal cord
  • the mother having an accident or illness during pregnancy
  • a genetic problem developing during pregnancy

As well as regular antenatal check-ups and ultrasounds, some women will be offered other tests during their pregnancy if there are concerns about their baby's development.

These are:

Diagnosis may also happen after birth.

This could be due to:

  • a problem that developed before birth
  • a problem during birth, for example if the baby did not get enough oxygen, or was born too early
  • a childhood illness or physical accident during early childhood
  • neuro-developmental difficulties that emerge in early childhood.

Many children with additional needs will have them identified in early childhood, while some children and young people can receive a diagnosis much later.

If you think your child may have social, communication and interaction challenges, their educational setting and the people supporting them may advise that a Neurodevelopmental assessment is appropriate to see if they have ASD or ADHD.

What to do when you receive a diagnosis

During this time, parents will need time to talk about their feelings and any decisions they are going to make. Close family and friends can be a good emotional support, although talking to a GP, health worker or counsellor may be easier for some people at this stage.

During and after a diagnosis you may come into contact with a number of different health care workers, including:

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or for professionals to repeat themselves or explain things more clearly.

There is also a range on support available including:

If your child doesn't have a diagnosis

While some conditions are easy to diagnose, other parents may never receive a diagnosis.  

It’s important that any educational needs are identified as early as possible so they can start receiving the support they need.

If your child has SEND they may be eligible for:

Most children with SEND will get support through their nursery or school. This is called SEN support.

Some children need more help than this. 

If this is the case, an assessment may be required to see if an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan is needed. An EHC plan is a legal document which sets out exactly what extra support is needed.

Who to speak to

If you have a concern you will want to know whether it is something to be worried about or whether it is because all children develop at different rates.

A first step is to talk to someone about your concerns such as your child’s school, support staff, nursery or with your doctor or health visitor.

  1. Step 1: Arrange a meeting

    • your child’s nursery or school: you can ask to speak with your child’s teacher or key worker, they will be able to tell you what they can do to help
    • SENCO: you could also speak with the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) who co-ordinates extra help for pupils with SEND
    • your child’s college: you can ask to speak with the person responsible for SEND, this is usually called the learning support co-ordinator
    • your doctor (GP) or health visitor: they can talk to you about your concerns and whether your child’s difficulties might be expected, or if they may have special educational needs that may require support
    • SENDIASS: the Brent SEND Information, Advice and Support Service can help you with impartial and confidential advice and support

  2. Step 2: At your meeting

    • say why you think your child may have SEND
    • ask whether your child has more difficulty learning than others their age
    • ask what the nursery/school/college can do to help your child
    • ask what you may be able to do to help when your child is at home.

  3. Step 3: What your nursery, school or college should do after the meeting

    • They will use the SEND code of practice: 0-25 years to decide if your child has SEND.
    • If they agree that your child has SEND, they will be offered SEN support which follows the ‘graduated approach’.