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Assessing Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

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)
  • assessment
  • Education, Health and Care Plan.


Related Advice

  • Who to talk to first
    If your child is at school or nursery: always speak to your child's teacher first if you think your child is learning more slowly than they should. They will let you know what they are doing to address your child's area of weakness. If your…
  • Assessment of SEN
    Your child may need an Education, Health and Care needs assessment if the extra support they are receiving is not helping or they have severe or complex needs. If the assessment is agreed, your child will be issued with an
  • Assessment request forms related to the Education, Health and Care process
    Assessment request forms related to the Education Health and Care (EHC) plan process: EHC Education Setting Request Form EHC Parent Carer Request Form
Last Updated 22/11/2023

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