Assessing Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

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Children with special educational needs (SEN) have needs or disabilities that affect their ability to learn. Special educational needs aren't always a lifelong problem. Some children only need support for a short time.

If your child is learning more slowly than others doesn't mean they have special educational needs.

Stages of support

There are different stages for helping children with special educational needs depending on each child's needs.

If your child is doing well they may not need to go to the next stage. If their needs are severe or complex they may go straight to the assessment stage.

The stages are:

  • SEN support (this used to be called school action and action plus)

  • Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)

  • Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Related Links

  1. IPSEA (Independent Advice Service)

Related Advice

  1. Who to talk to first
  2. What is SEN support?
  3. Assessment request forms related to the Education, Health and Care process

Page last reviewed: 20/02/2024

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