Navigating the SEND System: A Guide for Parents

As a parent or carer of a child or young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (“SEND”) you cannot help but be aware of the challenging and frustrating nature of navigating the system. And you are not alone. Over 1.5 million children in England have some form of SEND, which covers a range of conditions - from neurodivergence, such as Autism and ADHD to Specific Leaning Disabilities (SpLd) including Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, to physical and learning disabilities like Downs Syndrome, and mental health difficulties such as depression. It is a deliberately wide and encompassing definition and does not require a child or young person to have a diagnosis of any kind.

SEN are divided into four main areas, namely:  Cognition & Learning, Communication & Interaction, Social, Emotional and Mental Health and Sensory/ Physical. And whilst every child deserves access to learning and support, this is particularly heightened for children with SEN. This is because, according to the SEND Code of Practice, children with SEN make progress which ‘is significantly slower than that of their peers starting from the same baseline’ which ‘widens the attainment gap’.

SEND Advocacy recognises the difficulties faced by parents and carers, and the tools you need to successfully achieve the right education for your child or young person. Knowledge is power, and a proper understanding of how the SEND system works and sometimes doesn’t work, is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself and your family. A better understanding of the SEND system and the law underpinning it will lead to a better understanding of how to obtain the support necessary for your child to thrive.

If you think your child has SEND, there are different procedures to follow depending on age. If your child is under 5, nurseries follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure children with SEND are offered support. For children between 5 and 15 or 16+, it is good to first talk to the class teacher or teachers and/or the SENCo-ordinator (“SENCO”) at their school or college.

The SEND system is complex and not the easiest to navigate, so don’t feel you are alone in the process. There is support available for you and your family, including local community groups, and help from advocates. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert on SEND law, policy or practice, our upcoming SEND Advocacy Academy has been created to equip you and parents and carers like you with the tools you need, and provide a more comprehensive guide to navigating the SEND system. 

SEND Advocacy is here to help support children who learn differently to access and/or progress in education. If you need someone in your corner to help you secure the education your child or young person deserves, contact us today. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the SEND System

What is the first step if I think my child has SEN?

You should speak to your child’s teacher about your concerns and ask about what they have observed and any support that has been put in place. If you feel that more should be done you can also speak with the school SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), whose job it is to support students with Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND), ensuring the school implements the correct provision required to fulfil their needs.

What is SEN support?

SEN Support is the support that all mainstream educational settings must provide from their own resources to children and young people that they have identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN).

How do I request an EHC needs assessment?

You can write a letter to the local authority requesting an assessment and setting out how you believe your child meets the legal test for assessment. IPSEA has a model letter which you can adapt for this purpose. Alternatively, many local authorities now have online portals where requests can be made, but these are not mandatory.

What is the difference between SEN support and an EHCP?

SEN Support is discretionary, which means it is up to the school to decide whether and if so what support a child or young person requires and the support can be changed or withdrawn at any point and this cannot be formally challenged. An EHC Plan on the other hand is a legal document setting out the specific support a child or young person must receive and if it is not delivered then legal action can be taken.

What is the SEND Tribunal?

The First Tier Tribunal SEND (the SEND Tribunal) is an independent wholly independent legal body with the power to order local authorities to carry out EHCNAs and to issue and amend EHC Plans.

What can I do if the school is not supporting my child?

You can speak to the school about the issues your child is facing and the support you consider they require. If you are not satisfied with the school’s response you can make a formal complaint through their complaints process, details of which should be on their website, and you can make a parental request for an EHC Needs Assessment.

Where can parents get help with SEND issues?

All local authorities are legally required to fund an impartial advice and information service on SEND known as SENDIASS, details of which should be available on their local offer page. There are also national charities such as IPSEA and SOS!SEN which provide SEN information, advice and support.