Information & advice

SEND in Education

SEND in education refers to the additional support provided to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, helping them thrive, learn and develop.

SEND Support in Education

Whether your child is starting nursery or getting ready to move to secondary school, our guides are here to support you. We’ve organised the information by age group, so it’s easy to find the guidance and resources your family needs to access the right support.

Nursery

Explore the support available for children under 5 with SEND, helping them get the best possible start to their education.

Primary School

Find out about SEN support in primary schools for children aged 5–11, to make sure your child’s needs are met throughout their primary education.

Secondary School

Discover how SEN support works in secondary schools for children aged 11-16, so you can feel confident your child is fully supported throughout their secondary education.

16+ Support

Understand the different avenues and ways to support young people aged 16+ when leaving school and transitioning to adulthood.

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School Anxiety

School can be a challenging experience for children with SEND. If your child is struggling or feeling anxious, you can find more information and support here.

Support Frameworks

Educational settings are required to follow specific frameworks and plans to provide the support needed to meet your child’s individual needs and ensure they have an equal opportunity to thrive. Learn more about them here so you can confidently advocate for your child.

Education, Health and Care Plans

Explore what an Education, Health and Care Plan is, who can benefit from an EHCP and how to apply for one.

SEND Code of Practice

Discover what the SEND Code of Practice means and how this supports children with SEND in schools and services.

SEND Local Offer

A Local Offer is your one-stop-shop for information about the services available for children and young people with SEND where you live.

Questions to ask education settings

To support you in finding the right fit for your child with SEND, we’ve created guides with key questions to ask at every stage – nursery, primary, secondary, and post-16 – so you can choose an education setting where they can truly thrive.

Nursery & pre-school questions

Key questions to ask when visiting a nursery or preschool.

Primary school questions

Key questions to ask when visiting a primary school.

Secondary school questions

Key questions to ask when exploring secondary schools.

Post-16 settings questions

Key questions to ask when visiting post-16 settings.

All Guides

Anxiety

School Anxiety and SEND

Learn about school anxiety and SEND, the common triggers, and how to support your child.

Preparing for Adulthood

Youth Voice: Preparing for Adulthood

Young people with SEND share their thoughts on preparing for adulthood.

Signposting

Parental Burnout

Learn about parental burnout, emotional resilience, and where to find support.

Sleep

Sleep & Mental Health

Learn how sleep impacts mental health for children with SEND and how to provide support.

Autism

Masking

Learn about masking, the signs, differences in boys & girls, and how to provide support.

Signposting

Young Carers: Every Child Deserves to be a Child

Young carers take on big responsibilities. Learn about their challenges and how to support them.

Anxiety

Anxiety

Learn how anxiety affects children and young people with SEND and practical strategies to support your child.

SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Discover the different types of SEND and how to support children with SEND.

ADHD

ADHD

Learn about the signs of ADHD, the pathway to diagnosis and practical tips to support children with ADHD.

Autism

Autism

Learn about the signs of autism, the pathway to diagnosis and discover practical tips to support autistic children.

Signposting

The Local Offer

Find out about your Local Offer, a directory of SEND services near you.

Signposting

SEND Glossary

Our jargon buster will help you get to grips with SEND terminology.

Signposting

Who’s who in SEND

A guide to the titles and roles of various professionals you might come across in your SEND journey.