What Is SEN (SEND) in the UK? A Clear, Reassuring Guide for Parents (SEN Support, EHCPs & Next Steps)
What Is SEN (SEND) in the UK? A Clear, Reassuring Guide for Parents
SEN Support, EHCPs & Next Steps — explained without jargon
If You're Worried, You're Not Alone
If you're reading this because you're worried about your child, or because school have started using words like "SEN" and "EHCP" and you're not quite sure what they mean — you're in the right place.
A Note on Labels, Blame, and Overwhelm
Having SEN is not your fault. It's not your child's fault. And recognising that your child might need extra support doesn't mean anything has "gone wrong" — it means you're paying attention. Many families feel overwhelmed at this stage. That's completely understandable.
What SEN (and SEND) Actually Means in England
In England, a child has Special Educational Needs (SEN) if they need extra or different support to learn compared with most children of the same age.
This is defined in law, but the key point is simple: if your child is finding learning harder than their peers, and needs something extra to help them access education — that's what SEN means.
SEN vs SEND: Why Both Terms Are Used
SEN = Special Educational Needs
SEND = Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The two terms are often used interchangeably. "SEND" explicitly includes disabilities, but in everyday use, you'll hear both. They essentially refer to the same system of support.
Does My Child Need a Diagnosis to Get Help?
No. A diagnosis is not required for support to begin. Schools can (and should) provide support based on what your child needs right now — not just what's been formally diagnosed.
This is called needs-led support. If a child is struggling, teachers and SENCOs can put adjustments in place without waiting for a clinical assessment. Diagnosis can help with understanding — but it's not a gate that has to be unlocked first.
What Schools Can Do Now (Without a Diagnosis)
- Adapt teaching to match how your child learns
- Provide quiet spaces, sensory breaks, or visual supports
- Offer extra time, smaller groups, or check-ins
- Work with you to understand patterns and triggers
- Review and adjust support regularly
The Four Broad Areas of Need
In England, SEN is usually grouped into four areas of need. These help schools and professionals describe the kind of support a child might require — but many children sit across more than one area.
Cognition & Learning
Difficulties with understanding, memory, reading, writing, or maths. Includes specific learning difficulties like dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Communication & Interaction
Challenges with speech, language, understanding, or social communication. Includes autism spectrum conditions and speech/language difficulties.
Social, Emotional & Mental Health
Difficulties with emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, attention, or behaviour that affects learning. Often abbreviated to "SEMH".
Sensory and/or Physical
Visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical disabilities, or sensory processing differences that affect how a child accesses learning.
Many Children Sit Across More Than One Area
It's common for children to have needs that span several categories. For example, a child might have communication differences and SEMH needs. The categories are helpful for planning, but they don't define who your child is.
What SEN Can Look Like Day to Day
SEN isn't always obvious. It doesn't always look like "falling behind academically". Sometimes it looks like:
Real-World Examples
Why Behaviour Is Often Communication
"Your child isn't being difficult — they may be having a difficult time." Many needs show up as behaviour when a child is dysregulated, overwhelmed, or unable to communicate what's wrong. Understanding the "why" behind behaviour is key to providing the right support.
How SEN Is Identified in School
There's no single test for SEN. Instead, identification usually happens when adults notice a gap between what a child is doing and what's expected — and when that gap affects their learning or wellbeing.
What Teachers and the SENCO Might Notice
- Progress that's slower or more uneven than peers
- Difficulty following instructions or routines
- Behaviour that seems "out of proportion" to situations
- Avoidance of certain tasks or environments
- Social difficulties or isolation
What Parents Often Notice at Home
- Exhaustion, meltdowns, or anxiety after school
- Resistance to going to school (or specific days/lessons)
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood
- Comments like "I can't do it" or "everyone hates me"
- Behaviour that's very different from at school
The Graduated Approach: Assess, Plan, Do, Review
Once a child is identified as needing SEN Support, schools should follow a structured cycle called the graduated approach. This helps ensure support is tailored, reviewed, and adjusted over time.
Assess
Understand the child's needs — what's working, what isn't, what might help
Plan
Agree specific support, outcomes, and who will do what (involving parents)
Do
Put the plan into action in the classroom and around school
Review
Check what's working, what's changed, and adjust for next term
This isn't meant to be a tick-box exercise. A good review changes things — it doesn't just repeat what was already happening.
What Is SEN Support?
SEN Support is the first level of formal support a child can receive. It means the school recognises your child has additional needs and is putting adjustments in place — without needing an EHCP.
Examples of SEN Support in Practice
- Adapted teaching (visual supports, chunked instructions)
- A quiet workspace or sensory breaks
- Extra time or alternative ways to show learning
- Small group interventions (reading, social skills, etc.)
- Regular check-ins with a trusted adult
- A personalised timetable or adjusted routine
Reasonable Adjustments vs SEN Support
Reasonable adjustments (under the Equality Act) are changes schools must make for disabled pupils to prevent disadvantage — regardless of whether they're on the SEN register. SEN Support is a broader framework that includes these adjustments plus a structured assess–plan–do–review cycle.
What Is an EHCP (and When Is It Considered)?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that sets out a child's needs and the specific provision required to meet them — across education, health, and care (where relevant).
EHCPs are considered when:
- A child's needs are complex or long-term
- Support required goes beyond what school can normally provide
- A specialist placement may be needed
- Coordination across education, health, and care services is required
EHCPs can run from birth up to age 25 (when a young person is in education or training).
SEN Support vs EHCP: The Simplest Explanation
Important: An EHCP does not automatically mean a special school. Many children with EHCPs remain in mainstream — the plan specifies provision, not setting.
If Your Child Is Refusing School
School refusal (sometimes called EBSA — Emotionally Based School Avoidance) is often a sign that something is overwhelming for your child. It's rarely "just behaviour" or "stubbornness".
- Prioritise safety and regulation — not forcing attendance
- Keep a diary of patterns: sleep, anxiety, triggers
- Work with school on adjustments (reduced timetable, key adult)
- Contact your GP or local SENDIASS for support
- If attendance letters are adding pressure, ask school to pause while you work on a plan together
What to Do Before Your Next Meeting with School
Questions to Ask the SENCO
- What support is currently in place, and how often?
- What's working well, and what isn't?
- What are the next steps in the graduated approach?
- Have you considered an EHC needs assessment?
- What evidence would help if we want to request one?
- Can I have meeting notes and a copy of the support plan?
What to Request in Writing
If you want something on record — ask in writing (email is fine). This could include:
- A request for a meeting with the SENCO
- A summary of current support and outcomes
- A formal request for an EHC needs assessment (you don't need permission)
Keeping Records Without It Taking Over Your Life
You don't need a file the size of a textbook. A simple evidence pack might include:
- A diary: notes on patterns — good days, hard days, what helps, what doesn't
- Emails: communication with school (keep copies)
- Reports: anything from school, GP, CAMHS, or private professionals
- Examples of impact: things your child says, photos of work, voice notes
Focus on daily impact, not clinical language. Your observations are evidence too.
When Specialist or Alternative Provision May Help
For some children, the mainstream environment — however well-adjusted — remains overwhelming. In these cases, a different kind of setting may help.
What "Right Environment" Can Mean
- Smaller class sizes and higher adult-to-child ratios
- Predictable routines and calm spaces
- Staff trained in specific needs (SEMH, autism, etc.)
- Therapeutic or regulation-focused approaches
- Outdoor learning, animals, or hands-on curricula
No single approach works for every child. Specialist settings, outdoor learning, or animal-assisted environments can support some children's regulation and engagement — but they're not a "fix". What matters is whether the provision matches your child's needs.
🐴 About Changing Lives SEN Independent School
We support young people aged 11–18 who have found traditional education difficult — often due to anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, or unmet SEMH needs. Our approach is relationship-based, small-group, and focused on regulation and readiness to learn. Learn more about our admissions process or how we support transitions.
Small Groups
Consistent staff, calm environments, trust-first learning
Animal-Assisted
Horses, dogs, small animals — within robust planning
Safeguarding First
Trauma-informed, transparent, family-focused — view our approach
Gentle Next Steps
Talk to School
Request a meeting with the SENCO. Ask what support is in place and what the next step is.
Consider an Assessment
If needs are significant, you can request an EHC needs assessment from your Local Authority.
Look After You
This process is exhausting. Find support — SENDIASS, parent groups, or just someone to talk to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SEN, SEND, and getting support.
Yes. Schools should provide support based on what your child needs, not just what's been formally diagnosed. This is called needs-led support. Diagnosis can help with understanding, but it's not a requirement for adjustments or SEN Support to begin.
SEN Support is provided by the school using their own resources. An EHCP is a legal document issued by the Local Authority for children with more complex needs. An EHCP specifies provision that must be provided — SEN Support is more flexible but less legally binding.
The graduated approach is a four-step cycle: Assess (understand needs), Plan (agree support), Do (put it in place), and Review (check what's working). This cycle should repeat regularly, with adjustments made based on what's learned.
Ask what support is currently in place, what's working and what isn't, what the next steps are, whether an EHCP has been considered, and what evidence would help if you wanted to request one. Always ask for meeting notes in writing.
Keep a simple diary of patterns (good days, hard days, triggers), save emails with school, gather any professional reports (GP, CAMHS, private assessments), and note examples of daily impact. Your observations as a parent are evidence too — you don't need clinical language.
No. An EHCP specifies the provision your child needs — it doesn't automatically mean a special school. Many children with EHCPs remain in mainstream settings. The plan can name any appropriate school that can meet the specified needs.
This is common — especially for anxious children or those who are neurodivergent. Your observations at home are valid evidence. Ask school to look for subtle signs during the day (avoidance, withdrawal, fatigue) and share what you're seeing at home. The full picture matters.
If your child is struggling with school attendance due to unmet needs or anxiety, ask school to work with you rather than escalate with letters. A collaborative plan focused on understanding and adjusting support is usually more effective than pressure. Your local SENDIASS can help you navigate this conversation.
Questions About SEN Support?
If you'd like to talk about your child's needs, explore options, or simply ask questions — our team is here. No pressure, no jargon, just honest conversations.
