If a child or young person has significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or has a disability that makes it difficult for them to access the educational provision (including early years education) provided for other children of the same age, they may have a special educational need (SEN). Having a disability doesn't necessarily mean that a child will have a special educational need.
Special educational needs (SEN) are divided into four broad areas of need:
Communicating and interacting
For example, where children and young people have speech, language and communication difficulties which make it difficult for them to make sense of language or to understand how to communicate effectively and appropriately with others. This may include children with needs related to an autistic spectrum condition (ASC).
Cognition and learning
For example, where children and young people learn at a slower pace than others of their age, have difficulty in understanding parts of the curriculum, have difficulties with organisation and memory skills, or have a specific difficulty affecting one particular part of their learning performance such as in literacy or numeracy. A specific difficulty may include conditions such as dyslexia.
Social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH)
For example, where children and young people have difficulty in managing their relationships with other people, are withdrawn, or behave in ways that may hinder their, and other children’s, learning or where their behaviour impacts on their health and wellbeing. Children with ADHD will have needs in this area and so will some children with an autistic spectrum condition. However, there are many other reasons why children may experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties some of which may be long term (over a year) and others that may be linked to specific events and are temporary in nature
Sensory and/or physical needs
For example, children and young people with visual and/or hearing impairments, or a physical need that means they must have additional ongoing support and equipment
Some children and young people may have SEN that covers more than one of these areas.
Disability
Some children and young people who have SEN will also have a disability (SEND). A disability is described in law as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term (a year or more) and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’ (the Equality Act 2010). This includes, for example, sensory impairments such as those that affect sight and hearing, and long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy. Having a disability doesn't necessarily mean that a child or young person has SEN.
You can find more information about SEND in Special educational needs and disability: a guide for parents and carers (Department of Education 2014)
Shropshire Council Access Strategy
Local authorities are required by law to plan to improve access to every aspect of education for pupils with disabilities, and to monitor and review the effectiveness of their plans at regular intervals. The detail of these plans form the basis of the local authority’s accessibility strategy.