Identifying and supporting needs
Children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be given additional support from their education setting to meet their needs. The level of support will depend on the complexity of the child’s needs.
There are actions that all mainstream educational settings must take to meet their duties in relation to identifying and supporting children who have special educational needs – or SEN for short.
They are guided on what their duties are in the SEND Code of Practice – this is often referred to as ‘the Code’.
Initial concerns
Referred to as SEN support
If you have concerns about your child’s learning, you should first talk to their teacher or key worker at their educational setting.
The educational setting will complete an assessment of their need and plan the support required.
This is called SEN support. We have more information about this on our SEN support page.
The setting should use a graduated approach for the SEN support following a cycle called Assess, Plan, Do, Review.
The vast majority of children who have SEN are supported in this way.
Assessing complex needs
Referred to as an EHC needs assessment
If a child has been identified as having complex SEND needs that are above that provided through the educational settings SEN support offer, an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment may be required.
The purpose of an EHC needs assessment is to get a good rounded picture of the child’s education, health and care needs to decide whether or not they require an EHC Plan or whether their needs could be met with SEN support.
We have more information about this on our EHC needs assessment page.
Not everyone meets the criteria for an EHC needs assessment.
Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
If the EHC needs assessment shows that special educational provision is needed to meet the child’s needs, the Council will issue an Education, Health and Care plan – or EHC plan for short.
An EHC plan is a legally binding document that:
- describes all of the special education, health and care needs of the child which relate to their disability
- sets out all of the extra help and support they will need to overcome barriers to learning
- identifies meaningful outcomes they would like to achieve as they prepare for adult life
We have more information about this on our EHC plan page.
EHC plan annual reviews
An annual review checks a child’s progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in their EHC plan, specifically Section E.
An annual review is not just one meeting. The meeting forms a part of the whole process to check whether the EHC plan:
- is still needed
- is working successfully
- needs amending in any way
An EHC plan must be reviewed at least every 12 months.
Appealing a decision
Get in touch with us
If you can't find what you need, feel free to get in touch with us. Our opening hours are:
- Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 3pm
- Friday from 9.30am to 2pm
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3 working days.
Other sources of help and support:
Hertfordshire Local Offer
The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.
Visit the Local Offer →
Contact
A charity for families with disabled children offering information and advice.
Visit Contact →
HPCI
An independent parent carer organisation ensuring family voices are heard.
Visit the HPCI →
IPSEA
Independent information, advice and support, with free guides, resources and template letters.
Visit IPSEA →