A child is said to have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability that makes it harder for them to learn than other children of their age. This could include physical or sensory difficulties that cause problems with schoolwork, behaviour or communication. They may also have social or emotional difficulties that impact on their daily lives.
Often, the first sign of a problem is when parents or a health professional raise concerns about a child’s progress or behaviour at school. Teachers and the SENCO at their school will then assess their needs to see how best they can be met. This process should involve the views of the family, and where appropriate the young person themselves. Other professionals, such as health and Children’s Services, may also be involved.
Understanding Special Educational Needs (SEN): A Comprehensive Guide
Once a child has been assessed as having special educational needs, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be drawn up. This outlines the support they will receive and sets out long and short term goals that will help them achieve them.
While some children with special educational needs will go to a school which specializes in their condition, many will go to mainstream schools where they can be taught with one-to-one or mutalized support and use a modified curriculum. Other children might have to attend a special school for a limited number of hours a day, if it is determined that mainstream schools cannot meet their needs.
