Extra support for special educational needs
Depending on where you live, different words might be used in your school. These all describe when a child needs extra support with their learning, behaviour or healthcare needs:
England – Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Scotland – Additional support needs/Additional support for learning (ASL)
Wales – Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
Below we explain some of the key things to know about in each part of the UK.
The process of applying for extra support can be complex, so we’ve given some links for further advice and support in each country.
Epilepsy Action also has more information about general school support, learning and behaviour and going to college or university.
Where do you live?
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England
SEND Support
Your child may get support at their school or college. Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school can provide.
Education, health and care plan (EHC plan or EHCP)
A legal document written by the local authority if your child needs more help than a school would normally offer them. The EHC plan sets out your child’s needs, and what support the local authority will put in place for them.
EHC plans replaced statements of special educational needs in England in 2014, so sometimes you might hear them referred to as a statement.
Education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment
An assessment carried out by the local authority to decide if your child needs an EHC plan. A request for an assessment can be made by you, your child’s school or your child themselves if they are over 16.
Advice and support
- Government guidance for parents on SEND
- Contact – this is a charity for families of disabled children, with lots of information about the EHC assessment process and advice for making complaints.
- Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (ISPEA)
Offers free and independent advice and support in England. - Information, Advice and Support (IAS) services
Local advice and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and their parents.
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Northern Ireland
SEN support
Statement of special educational needs
A document written by the Education Authority setting out your child’s special educational needs and the support they will give.
School Action
Schools, nurseries and playgroups can provide help for children with special educational needs. Teachers will plan their education taking account of the guidance given in the code of practice.
Statutory assessment
An assessment of your child’s needs carried out by the Education Authority. The local authority uses the assessment to decide if your child needs a statement of special educational needs. You or your child’s school can ask for a statutory assessment.
Advice and support
- nidirect
Government website with information about special educational needs. - Special Educational Needs Advice Centre (SENAC)
Offers advice, information and advocacy for parents of children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland.
- nidirect
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Scotland
SEN support
Additional support needs/Additional support for learning (ASL)
In Scotland, special educational needs are called additional support needs. The laws and guidance in this country use the term: additional support for learning (ASL).
Learning support plans
These are formal documents used by schools for children who have significant support needs. They have different names in different local authorities, for example additional support plans (ASPs), individual support plans (ISPs) and individualised education programmes (IEPs).
Co-ordinated support plan
This is a plan for children with complex support needs involving 2 or more agencies. A CSP is a legal document, meaning if your child has one, the local authority must provide the support set out in the CSP.
Advice and support
- Enquire
The Scottish advice service for additional support for learning. - The Scottish Government website
Has information on additional support for learning, including contact details of advice organisation.
- Enquire
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Wales
SEN support
The Welsh Government passed a law changing the approach to supporting children who have difficulties with learning in Wales. It introduced a new Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system. This is replacing the previous Special Educational Needs (SEN) system.
Individual Development Plan
Individual Development Plans (IDP) are replacing statements of educational needs. All children with Additional Learning Needs will have an Individual Development Plan, which outlines the support your child needs. Schools, colleges and local authorities should work in partnership with parents, carers, children and young people to prepare an IDP for children and young people with ALN.
Advice and support
- SNAP Cymru
Advice and support to families of children with special educational needs and disabilities in Wales. Their website includes information on the new ALN system. - The Welsh Government
Has a guide for parents and carers of children who may have special educational needs.
- SNAP Cymru
Your child and epilepsy
The aim of the course is to provide parents and carers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to care for and support children with epilepsy.
The course includes information like learning and behaviour in part six.
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