Adoption and SEN

Adopted children have often faced challenging early lives and Adverse Childhood Experiences ("ACE") such as neglect, abuse, or instability can disrupt brain development, making it harder for children to regulate emotions, process information, or engage in learning. In addition, developmental delays or attachment difficulties are also common in adopted children, impacting their ability to trust others and feel secure. While not all adopted children will require support for Special Educational Needs ("SEN"), understanding this connection allows parents to be proactive in identifying and addressing their child's needs.

Adopted children might struggle with anxiety, depression, or heightened sensitivity due to past trauma. The may display behavioural challenges, such as defiance or aggression, which can arise as coping mechanisms and which may be misunderstood by teachers and other adult authority figures. Transitions, such as moving schools, changing routines, or adapting to new environments, can be particularly distressing for adopted children as changes may trigger memories of past instability, leading to heightened stress and emotional outbursts. Adopted children may also grapple with understanding their identity and background. This can affect self-esteem and social interactions, potentially adding another layer of complexity to SEN. Similarly, peer relationships can be difficult for adopted children, especially if they struggle with trust, communication, and/or understanding social cues. This can result in bullying or exclusion if other children don’t understand or accept these differences.

Unfortunately, symptoms of SEN can sometimes overlap with the effects of trauma, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed identification of specific needs. For example, attention difficulties might be mistaken for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ("ADHD") when they are actually trauma-related. In addition, families of adopted children may face stigma or misunderstanding about their child’s needs, particularly when behaviours are misinterpreted as “naughtiness.”

In England, adopted children with SEN or suspected SEN should receive support in the same way as all other children, and they also may be entitled to additional resources and support even absent any SEN. These include:

Pupil Premium Plus: schools receive additional funding to support children who were previously in care. This can be used for interventions, counselling, or extra resources tailored to your child’s needs.

Therapeutic Support: under the Adoption Support Fund, families can access funding for therapeutic services to address issues stemming from early trauma.

Priority Admissions: adopted children are given priority in the ordinary school admissions process.

Post-Adoption Support: local authorities and voluntary organizations often provide post-adoption support services, including workshops, training, and one-on-one guidance.

If your adopted child is struggling in education, SEND Advocacy can provide information, advice and support to help ensure they receive the provision to which they are entilted. If you need someone in your corner to help you secure the education your child deserves, contact SEND Advocacy today.