UKNeuroGuide
UKNeuroGuide · Education guide

Education & SEN Guide

This guide covers England's SEN system. Arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ — always check your local authority guidance.

Understanding the school support system in England — from SEN support and EHCPs to working with your SENCO and what to do if school won't help.

School support EHCP process Practical steps
Read guide Letter templates
On this page

What SEN support is

SEN stands for Special Educational Needs. Schools in England have a legal duty under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice to identify and support children with SEN. Support is structured across three levels:

Universal

Good teaching and classroom adjustments available to all pupils, regardless of SEN status.

SEN Support

The child is placed on the SEN register and receives a targeted support plan. Most children with SEN are at this level.

EHCP

An Education, Health and Care Plan — a legally binding document for children with complex or high-level needs.

Important
You do not need a diagnosis for your child to be on the SEN register or receive SEN support. The legal focus is on need, not diagnosis. Schools must identify and support pupils based on their difficulties, not a label.

Working with your SENCO

Every school in England must have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). They are your primary point of contact for SEN matters. You can ask reception for their name and contact details.

What to bring to a SENCO meeting

  • Written examples of difficulties your child experiences at home (specific, dated examples are most useful)
  • Any feedback you have received from teachers or other school staff
  • Any existing reports, assessments, or letters from GPs, therapists, or specialists
  • A list of questions you want to ask

Questions to ask at the meeting

  • What support is currently in place for my child?
  • What does the school's SEN policy say about how needs like these are identified and supported?
  • Can my child be added to the SEN register?
  • What is the review timeline for the support plan?
  • Who will be responsible for implementing the plan day-to-day?
  • What happens if the support isn't working?

A ready-to-use SENCO letter template is available on our letter templates page.

Always follow up in writing
The SENCO is your main point of contact. Document all conversations in writing — follow up every meeting with a brief email confirming what was discussed, what was agreed, and when the next review is. This creates a paper trail if things go wrong later.

Getting support without an EHCP

The majority of children with SEN are supported through SEN Support — without needing an EHCP. This is sometimes called "School Support" or "School Action" in older terminology.

Under SEN Support, the school identifies the child's needs, creates a support plan, and reviews it regularly using the "assess, plan, do, review" cycle. As a parent or carer, you should be involved at every stage.

What SEN Support might include

  • Small group work or withdrawal sessions
  • 1:1 support from a teaching assistant
  • Adapted resources (larger text, visual timetables, colour overlays)
  • Extra time to complete work or transitions between activities
  • Fidget tools or sensory equipment in the classroom
  • Sensory or movement breaks during the school day
  • Homework adjustments or alternative formats
  • Quiet spaces to work or decompress
  • Advance notice of changes to routine

Reviews are usually held termly. You are entitled to attend and contribute to these reviews.

Your right to be involved
Ask to see your child's SEN Support Plan. You are entitled to be involved in its creation and every review. If you have not been shown the plan, ask the SENCO for a copy in writing.

The EHCP process (step by step)

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document for children and young people with more complex needs. It sets out what support must be provided and by whom. Here is how the process works:

  1. Request an EHC needs assessment. You can request this directly from your local authority — parents and carers have the right to request directly, without going through school first. The school, college, or early years provider can also request it. Young people aged 16 and over can request their own.
  2. Local authority decides whether to assess (within 6 weeks). They must tell you in writing whether they will carry out an EHC needs assessment. If they refuse, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
  3. The assessment takes place. This involves gathering information from education, health, and social care professionals, as well as from you and your child. You have the right to contribute your own views.
  4. A draft EHCP is issued. You will receive a draft plan and have 15 days to comment on it. You can request a meeting with the local authority to discuss it.
  5. The final EHCP is issued. This should happen within 20 weeks of the original request. The plan legally specifies what support must be provided and names the school or setting.
  6. Annual review. The EHCP must be reviewed at least every 12 months. The review should involve you, your child, the school, and any relevant professionals.

Who can request an EHC needs assessment: parents and carers, the young person themselves (if aged 16 or over), or the school, college, or early years provider.

Keep copies of everything
Keep copies of every letter, email, and report related to the EHCP process. If the local authority refuses to assess, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal (SENDIST). Before appealing, seek free legal advice from IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) or SOSSEN (sossen.org.uk) — both provide specialist SEN legal guidance.
No diagnosis required
Having a diagnosis is not a requirement for an EHCP. The local authority must carry out an assessment if they believe the child may have needs that require an EHCP, regardless of whether a formal diagnosis has been made.

Reasonable adjustments at school

Schools must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 for disabled pupils. Many neurodivergent conditions — including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others — qualify as disabilities under the Act if they have a substantial and long-term effect on daily life.

Common reasonable adjustments include:

  • Extra time in exams or tests
  • A separate, quieter room for exams
  • Rest breaks during lessons or exams
  • A reader or scribe for written work
  • Use of a laptop or text-to-speech software
  • Fidget tools or sensory equipment
  • Flexible seating options (wobble cushion, standing desk, end-of-row seat)
  • Homework modifications (reduced quantity, extended deadlines, alternative formats)
  • Written instructions instead of verbal-only instructions
  • A quiet, safe space to decompress during the school day
  • Predictable daily routines and advance notice of any changes
  • A named trusted adult the child can go to when overwhelmed
Put it in writing
Agreed adjustments should be confirmed in writing wherever possible and included in the SEN Support Plan or EHCP. Verbal agreements are harder to enforce. Always follow up a verbal agreement with an email confirming what was discussed.

When school says no

If school refuses to provide support, dismisses your concerns, or is unresponsive, you have options. Take these steps in order:

  1. Put your request in writing. Email is ideal — it creates a clear record with timestamps. Reference the school's own SEN policy and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
  2. Reference your child's legal rights. Under the Children and Families Act 2014, schools have a duty to identify and support pupils with SEN. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.
  3. Escalate to the headteacher if the SENCO does not respond or the SENCO's response is inadequate.
  4. Contact your local authority's SEND team. Every local authority has a dedicated SEND team. You can find them on your council's website.
  5. Seek independent advice from SENDIASS. Every local authority in England has a free, independent SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service). They can advise you on your rights and attend meetings with you. Search "SENDIASS [your area]" to find yours.
  6. Seek legal advice. IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) provides free specialist legal advice on SEN. SOSSEN (sossen.org.uk) offers similar support. Both can advise on appeals.
  7. Request an EHC needs assessment directly from the local authority. You do not need the school's agreement to do this.
Unlawful exclusion
You should never be told to keep your child at home because the school "can't manage" their needs. Informal or "unofficial" exclusions are unlawful. If this happens, contact your local authority's SEND team and IPSEA immediately.

Next steps

Here is a summary of practical actions you can take right now:

  • Contact the school SENCO and request a meeting — ask reception for their name and email address
  • Read the school's SEN policy — schools are legally required to publish this on their website
  • Use the letter template to formally request that your child is added to the SEN register or to request an EHCP assessment
  • Speak to your local SENDIASS for free, impartial advice — search "SENDIASS [your area]"
  • Visit IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) or SOSSEN (sossen.org.uk) for specialist SEN legal guidance
  • Keep a written record of all communications with school
View letter templates Contact us
About this guide
UKNeuroGuide is an independent information resource, not a legal service. This guide is accurate for England as of 2025. Always verify information with your local authority, SENDIASS, or a qualified legal adviser. If you need urgent support, contact your local SENDIASS, IPSEA, or NHS 111.