What should I expect if my child is getting SEN support?

Every mainstream education setting has a legal duty to provide adequate SEN support to any pupil who needs it. This includes early years and post 16 providers. A child or young person does not need a formal diagnosis to receive SEN Support.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has agreed school's guidance which outlines the:

  • expectations and;
  • examples of provision and arrangements for professionals

The guidance document is called "Southend SEND: Review and Self Evaluation".

If a pupil is identified as needing extra help, the setting SENCo will arrange a planning meeting..

The meeting should involve:

  • the child or young person
  • their family

It will often include input from:

  • the class teacher or other appropriate members of staff
  • external agencies or professionals working with the child or young person and their family may also be asked to attend. This is to provide advice on the child or young persons needs, or to provide recommendations on the type of support they need.

Intervention agreed is usually detailed through an Individual Support Plan (ISP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP). Everyone at the planning meeting will agree how they will work together to provide, monitor and evaluate the support.

Settings must ensure the voice of the child or young person and their parent carer is heard and recorded in any support plans.

Schools may use their delegated funding to provide additional support over and above that which is usually provided to all pupils. Read more:

Funding for pupils with SEND

Funding for pupils with SEND - Banding Descriptors