Support for special educational needs
On this page we explain some of the key terms 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.
You can find out more about this subject in our online course Your child and epilepsy (See Part 6 – Learning and behaviour).
Where do you live?
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England
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
Contact
A charity for families of disabled children, with lots of information about the EHC assessment process.
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
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.
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.
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Scotland
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.
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Wales
Statement of special educational needs
A legal document written by the local authority if your child needs more help than their school can offer them. It sets out what your child’s special educational needs are, and the extra help the local authority will give to meet them.
Statutory assessment
A full assessment of your child’s educational needs carried out by the local 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.
Changes to the process in Wales
The process of getting support for special educational needs in Wales is due to change in 2021. Some of the terms will also change, for example, special educational needs (SEN) will be called additional learning needs (ALN) instead. We will update this page when the changes come into effect.
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 transitioning from the statementing process to the new Additional Learning Needs (ALN) process.
The Welsh Government
Has a guide for parents and carers of children who may have special educational needs.
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.
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