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Information & advice

Understanding SEND

The world of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities can be a confusing and frustrating place. Especially if you’re new to it. This website contains lots of information, guidance, and advice that can help you find out about a host of SEND topics. If you’re just beginning your SEND journey the guides below may be a good place to start.

What are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

Explores Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. What does that mean? What types are there? And introduces some of the terminology.

Who's who in SEND?

Information on the professionals and services that are often involved with children and young people who have or are suspected to have SEND.

The Local Offer

The Local Offer is your local directory of SEND support organisations and services in your area. It is published by your Local Authority and it is a legal duty for every Local Authority to have one.

SEND Glossary

The world of SEND is full of new terms, titles and abbreviations (like SEND!). Our glossary unpacks some of the terms you are likely to come across during your journey into Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

National SEND organisations

There are organisations providing advice and support to families with SEND all over the country. This is a list of some of the national organisations that can help families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

All our guides

Advice

Understanding SEND

An introduction to SEND for people at the start of their SEND journey

Advice

National organisations

National organisations that provide support for families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Advice

Who’s who in SEND

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

Advice

SEND Glossary

There are lots of abbreviations used in the world of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Find explanations of the most common ones in our glossary.

Advice

What are Special Educational Needs?

Read out guide if you want to find out what special educational needs are.

Advice

The Local Offer

Find out what a Local Offer is and how it can help you find services for special educational needs and disabilities.

Advice

School meetings

Attending a meeting about your child at school can be difficult. Find out how to get the most from school meetings.

Advice

School refusal

How to support a child who is refusing to go to school.

Advice

Personal budgets

Explore the range of personal budgets available to families of children and young people with SEND.

Advice

Choosing a primary school

Top tips on choosing a primary school for a child with special educational needs or disabilities.

Advice

SEND support in schools

Schools are required to provide support to young people with SEND. Find out more in this guide.

Advice

SEN Funding

Schools receive funding to support children with SEN. Find out how you can ensure your child gets the support they need.

Advice

SEND in early years

Discover the support that is available in the early years for children with special educational needs and disabilities

Advice

School exclusions

Find out when and how school exclusions can happen and what your rights are if you or your child is excluded.

Advice

Transitioning to adulthood

Navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Advice

Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

If you want to appeal a decision in your EHC Plan you need to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. This guide shows you how.