Special Educational Needs

What are Special Educational Needs?

The term ‘special educational needs’ has a legal definition. Children with special educational needs all have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age.

These children may need extra or different help from that given to other children of the same age.

The law says that children do not have learning difficulties just because their first language is not English. Of course some of these children may have learning difficulties as well.

Children with special educational needs may need extra help because of a range of needs, such as:

a physical disability
a problem with sight, hearing or speech
a mental disability
emotional or behavioural problems
a medical or health problem
difficulties with reading, writing, speaking or mathematics work.

These are just examples. Your child may have more general difficulties with school work.

You may notice these problems yourself. Your doctor, health visitor or clinic may notice them before your child starts school or your child’s teachers at school may notice them.

About one in five children may have learning difficulties at some time in their school life. Most children get over their difficulties quite quickly. For others, the effects may last longer.

What should I do if I think my child has special educational needs?

You should make an appointment to speak to your child’s school Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). School Contact Details

As a first step the SENCO will probably discuss your child’s performance and progress with class or subject teachers. This may reassure you that progress is being made and nothing additional or different is required.

However if there is agreement that progress is not adequate, the SENCO will discuss with you that arrangements it will make to support your child.

This support is called ‘School Action’ and will be set out in an Individual Education Plan (IEP). You and your child will be involved in setting the targets set out in the IEP. This is important because the targets are more likely to be achieved if everyone pulls together.

You can also seek advice and support from the Dudley Parent Partnership Service an independent service which can offer support, important information and explain processes and procedures. They can be contacted on 01384 236677.

go to menu

go to homepage