What are Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us answer many of your questions about Special Educational Needs:
A child has a special educational need (SEN) 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.
How long will my child need SEN support?
For some children this may be a temporary need, for example, with reading, maths or a behavioural difficulty which can, with the help of parents and schools, be overcome. Quite a lot of children have difficulties like this at some time and it is perfectly normal for them to be sorted out in school. A small number of children have long-term and more severe special educational needs that may be due to:
- Learning difficulties in acquiring basic skills
- Specific learning difficulties with reading, writing or maths calling for a more structured approach to learning
- Emotional, behavioural or social difficulties where a child might have difficulty in forming relationships and concentrating on work
- Speech and language impairment where children have a particular reason for not being able to speak, or a delay in the development of speech and language skills.
- Visual impairment where children have been born partially sighted or blind or have become so through accidents, illness or a deteriorating condition
- Hearing impairment involving significant hearing loss or deafness that can seriously affect speech and the ability to benefit from teaching and conversation with others
- Physical disability present from birth or arising from injury or illness
- Medical or health conditions which may slow down a child’s progress and/or involve treatment that affects their schooling
- Complex communication difficulties such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.
What is not considered to be a special educational need?
- Children are not generally considered to have SEN:
- Solely because their language, or form of language, is different from the language used in their formal education.
They have exceptional abilities. However, all schools do make arrangements to meet the needs of such children.
How can I find out if my child has special educational needs?
You may be the first to notice your child has difficulties but 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 contact will probably be your health visitor or doctor. They can help, by putting 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. Most children’s needs can be met in their local mainstream school.
What can schools do to help?
All schools provide extra help for children who have special educational needs, whatever the underlying reason. The type and amount of help given will depend on the needs of the child. The local education authority puts money directly into schools budgets so that they can provide additional support for pupils with special educational needs. It is not always necessary for schools to refer children for statutory assessments of their needs. The local Health Trusts, Social Services department and voluntary organisations provide many services directly to children and their families, so referral to your local education authority is not always necessary.