Ealing Parent Partnership and
Hammersmith & Fulham Parent Partnership

About SEN

What are Special Educational Needs?

A child has a special educational need if he or she has greater difficulty in learning than most other children of about the same age. Special educational needs can arise for a number of reasons and may be due to a medical condition or disability that makes it hard for a child to use the same kind of educational facilities provided for the majority of children.

Children are NOT generally considered to have special educational needs solely because their language is different from the language used in their formal education or because they have exceptional abilities.

A lot of children have difficulties at some time. Most of these difficulties can be sorted out in school.

How to tell if your child has Special Educational Needs

You may be the first to notice that your child has difficulties. However there are others who can help, depending on the age of your child.

If your child is of pre-school age your first point of call will probably be your health visitor or doctor. They can put you in touch with other people such as speech and occupational therapists, portage workers and teachers of young children.

If your child is at school, your child’s teachers will consult you if they have concerns about his or her progress.

Help at School

All schools provide extra help for children with special educational needs. The Local Authority puts money directly into schools' budgets for them to provide this additional support.

Local Health Trusts, Social Services departments and voluntary organisations may also provide help directly to children and their families. In fact most children's special educational needs can be met by their local school, either with additional support from within the school or by help and/or advice from outside specialists. This kind of support is known as School Action/School Action Plus. It is therefore not always necessary to refer the matter to the Local Authority.

For more details about the statutory procedures if the matter is referred to the Local Authority see Statutory SEN Procedures