SEND Glossary

A yearly meeting to review an EHCP and decide if changes are needed. The LA must complete this within 12 months of the previous review.

Autism Spectrum Disorder. A developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Now often referred to simply as autism.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. NHS services providing assessment and treatment for mental health difficulties in children and young people.

Code of Practice. The official government guidance on SEND (2015). LAs and schools must follow this when supporting children with SEND.

A senior health professional responsible for ensuring health services meet their SEND duties. They help coordinate health input into EHCPs.

A detailed assessment to decide if a child needs an EHCP. The LA has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess, then 16 weeks to complete it.

Education, Health and Care Plan. A legal document describing a child's special educational needs and the support they must receive. Replaced statements in 2014.

Educational Psychologist. A specialist who assesses children's learning and emotional needs. Their reports are often key evidence for EHCPs.

The independent body that hears appeals about SEND decisions. Parents can appeal if the LA refuses to assess, issue an EHCP, or if they disagree with its contents.

The cycle of Assess-Plan-Do-Review that schools use to identify and support children with SEN before requesting an EHCP.

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. A charity offering free legally-based advice on SEND rights.

Local Authority. Your council, responsible for SEND services, EHCPs, and school places in your area.

Information published by every LA about services available for children with SEND in their area, from birth to 25.

Learning Support Assistant. A member of staff who supports children with additional needs in the classroom. Also called TA (Teaching Assistant).

A school for children of all abilities, as opposed to a special school. Most children with SEND attend mainstream schools with support.

A meeting with an independent mediator to try to resolve disagreements with the LA before going to tribunal. Usually required before appeal.

The LA officer responsible for your child's EHCP. They should be your main point of contact for EHCP queries.

The portion of a school's budget expected to be spent on SEN support (typically the first 6,000 of additional support per pupil).

Occupational Therapist. A health professional who helps children develop skills for daily living, fine motor control, and sensory processing.

The goals written into Section E of an EHCP. They should be specific, measurable, and describe what the child will achieve, not just receive.

Now called SENDIASS. Services that provide impartial advice and support to parents of children with SEND.

Pathological Demand Avoidance. A profile within the autism spectrum characterised by extreme avoidance of everyday demands and requests.

Money from the LA or NHS that families can use to arrange some of the support in an EHCP themselves, rather than the LA arranging it.

The support, services, and resources specified in an EHCP. Section F lists educational provision; Section G lists health; Section H lists social care.

Speech and Language Therapy/Therapist. Support for children with communication difficulties, speech disorders, or language delays.

The law (Children and Families Act 2014) requiring LAs to consider the views of children, parents, and young people in SEND decisions.

Special Educational Needs. When a child has significantly greater difficulty learning than most children their age.

Help given in school without an EHCP. Also called K-code or School Support. The school uses its own budget to provide this.

Special Educational Needs Coordinator. The teacher in each school responsible for coordinating support for children with SEN.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The umbrella term for children who need extra help due to learning difficulties or disabilities.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service. Free, impartial advice service in every LA.

Respite services giving families a break from caring. Can include after-school clubs, holiday activities, or overnight stays.

Support from social services listed in Section H of an EHCP. Split into H1 (legally required) and H2 (discretionary).

A school specifically for children with SEN or disabilities. Usually requires an EHCP to attend and is named in Section I.

A legal term meaning the provision in an EHCP must be detailed, quantified, and clear - not vague or wishy-washy.

The First-tier Tribunal (SEND). An independent court where parents can appeal LA decisions about assessments, EHCPs, and school placement.

A draft EHCP sent to parents for comment before it becomes final. You have 15 days to respond with suggested changes.