All children are different and learn in their own way. In any class of children of the same age you will expect to find children with a wide range of abilities and skills. However, if your child has greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age then the teacher may suggest some additional or different support to help them to progress.

According to the SEN Code of Practice (Section 1.3) "Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them." This could be because they have significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age, or a disability which affects their education.

These factsheets introduce you through the ways that children with special educational needs should be supported.

Click on the link for the Factsheet you want. For each Factsheet you can then also click on Download as pdf button at the top of the factsheet to download it for printing. You can also listen to the Factsheet by clicking on Listen to this.

For parents / carers who have concerns about communication and relationships with their child's school.

School Action (or Early Years Action) for children who need more support and monitoring in school. School Action Plus and Early Years Action Plus if extra advice is asked for.

If your child is receiving additional support in school then the school may use an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

If your child needs more support with learning or behaviour than the school can provide, then the school and/or the parents can ask the local authority to do a Statutory Assessment. If the local authority agrees to do this, and the assessment shows that your child needs more support, then they will issue a Statement of Educational Needs.

If your child is having a Statutory Assessment then you will be asked for your views. This factsheet gives you some guidelines for putting your ideas down on paper.

If your child has a Statement of Educational Needs then you will be asked every year to take part in an Annual Review.

Guidance if you are involved in discussions with the local authority about your child's education, or if you disagree with a decision about statutory assessment or a statement.

If your child is moving up to Secondary School this factsheet outlines what should happen and has ideas that might help.

Parent Partnership Service - Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Telford & Wrekin CVS - Registered Charity Number 702589