A Parent's Complete Guide to SEN and EHCP

If you think your child needs extra help at school, you might have heard about SEN and EHCP. These letters can seem confusing at first. But they are actually about getting the right support for your child.

This guide explains everything in simple terms. We’ll help you understand what SEN means. We’ll show you how schools provide support. And we’ll explain when your child might need an EHCP. Most importantly, we’ll tell you how to get the help your child deserves. Every child is different. Some need extra support to reach their potential. There’s no shame in this. In fact, it shows you care about your child’s education and future.

🌟 The Most Important Things to Know

SEN support helps children who need extra help to learn

An EHCP is a legal document that secures support for children with significant needs

You have rights as a parent to request help for your child

📋 What This Guide Covers

What is SEN? Simple explanation of special educational needs
Types of SEN: Different needs children might have
SEN support at school: How schools help children
What is an EHCP? When you might need a legal plan
Getting an EHCP: Step-by-step process
Your rights: What the law says about support
Getting help: Where to find advice and support
Common questions: Answers to what parents ask most

What is SEN? Understanding Special Educational Needs

SEN stands for Special Educational Needs. This means your child needs extra help to learn. Many children have SEN. You are not alone if your child needs support.

📊 How Many Children Have SEN?

📈 The Numbers

Official data from the government (DfE SEN Statistics 2024):

1.6 million children in England have SEN
This is 1 in 6 children in schools
Most children with SEN stay in mainstream schools
Boys are more likely to have identified SEN than girls
Numbers are growing as awareness increases

What this means:

Your child is not unusual if they have SEN
Many families go through this journey
Schools are used to supporting children with SEN
Help is available when you need it

🧠 The Legal Definition of SEN

📝 What the Law Says

The Children and Families Act 2014 says a child has SEN if:

They have a learning difficulty
This difficulty needs special educational provision
The difficulty is greater than most children their age

In simple terms, this means:

Your child finds learning harder than other children
They need different or extra help to learn
Regular classroom teaching is not enough
They need special support to succeed

Important note: A child does not have SEN just because:

English is not their first language
They are behind in their learning
They have behaviour problems without other needs

🎯 Early Signs Your Child Might Have SEN

👀 What to Look Out For

Learning difficulties might show as:

Reading is much harder than for other children their age
Writing takes much longer and is very difficult
Maths concepts seem impossible to understand
Memory problems with instructions or information
Concentration problems that affect learning

Social and emotional signs might include:

Finding it hard to make friends
Not understanding social situations
Very anxious about school or learning
Behaviour that seems different from other children
Very low confidence about their abilities

Physical signs could be:

Difficulty with movement or coordination
Problems with fine motor skills like writing
Hearing or vision difficulties
Sensory processing problems

Communication difficulties might show as:

Speech that is hard to understand
Difficulty following instructions
Problems expressing thoughts and ideas
Language development that seems delayed

Types of Special Educational Needs

SEN covers many different types of difficulties. Understanding these can help you know what support your child might need.

📚 The Four Main Areas of SEN

🎓 Communication and Interaction

This includes children who have difficulty with:

Speech and language: Problems talking or understanding others
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Social communication challenges
Social skills: Making friends and understanding social rules

Examples of what you might see:

Child speaks clearly but doesn’t understand instructions
Finds it hard to start conversations
Takes things very literally
Struggles in group activities
Repeats words or phrases

Support might include:

Speech and language therapy
Social skills groups
Visual supports like picture cards
Clear, simple instructions
Structured social activities

🧠 Cognition and Learning

This covers children who have trouble with:

General learning: Processing information more slowly
Specific learning difficulties: Like dyslexia or dyscalculia
Moderate or severe learning difficulties

Signs might include:

Reading skills much below age level
Difficulty with maths despite lots of practice
Problems remembering what they learned yesterday
Can’t follow multi-step instructions
Needs concepts explained many times

Support could include:

Different ways of teaching
Extra time for work
Breaking tasks into smaller steps
Using pictures and diagrams
Specialist teaching programmes

😊 Social, Emotional and Mental Health

This area includes children who have:

Anxiety or depression: Feeling worried or very sad
ADHD: Attention and hyperactivity difficulties
Behaviour difficulties: Finding it hard to follow rules
Eating disorders or self-harm

You might notice:

Child is very worried about school
Can’t sit still or concentrate
Gets very angry or upset quickly
Won’t eat lunch or seems very sad
Behaviour seems very different at home and school

Support might involve:

Counselling or therapy
Calm spaces at school
Behaviour support plans
Movement breaks
Working with family

👁️ Sensory and Physical

This covers children with:

Vision problems: Difficulty seeing
Hearing problems: Difficulty hearing
Physical difficulties: Problems with movement
Medical conditions: That affect learning

Signs could be:

Squinting or sitting very close to the board
Not responding when called
Difficulty with handwriting or PE
Getting tired quickly
Bumping into things often

Support might include:

Glasses or hearing aids
Special equipment for writing
Physiotherapy or occupational therapy
Accessible classroom setup
Help from support assistants

How SEN Support Works in Schools

Most children with SEN get help through something called “SEN Support.” This happens in their regular school. Let’s look at how this works.

🔄 The SEN Support Process

📋 Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Identifying needs

Teacher notices child is struggling
Parents might raise concerns
School looks at child’s progress
Initial assessments are done

Step 2: Planning support

School meets with parents
They decide what help is needed
Targets are set for the child
Support plan is written

Step 3: Providing support

Child gets the help planned
This might be in class or separately
Progress is tracked carefully
Support is adjusted if needed

Step 4: Reviewing progress

Regular meetings with parents
Looking at what’s working
Changing support if needed
Setting new targets

A graphical view showing the structured, four-part process schools map out to track special needs support cycles.

🎯 What SEN Support Looks Like

📚 Examples of Support

In the classroom:

Different ways of teaching
Extra help from teacher or assistant
Special equipment like laptop or coloured paper
Sitting in a quiet area
Work adapted to child’s level

Outside the classroom:

Small group work with specialist teacher
One-to-one sessions
Speech and language therapy
Social skills groups
Counselling or emotional support

Assessment and testing:

Extra time in tests
Someone to read questions aloud
Using computer instead of writing
Taking tests in quiet room
Rest breaks during long tests

Behaviour support:

Clear rules and routines
Calm space when upset
Reward systems
Movement breaks
Help with social situations

👥 Who’s Involved in SEN Support

🤝 The Support Team

In school:

Class teacher: Main person teaching your child
SENCO: Special needs coordinator who plans support
Teaching assistants: Give extra help in lessons
Head teacher: Makes decisions about resources
Learning mentors: Help with emotional and social needs

Outside professionals:

Educational psychologist: Assesses learning difficulties
Speech and language therapist: Helps with communication
Occupational therapist: Helps with daily living skills
Physiotherapist: Helps with movement and exercise
Social worker: Supports families who need help

Your role as a parent:

Share information about your child
Work with school on goals
Support learning at home
Attend review meetings
Speak up if you’re worried

What is an EHCP? Understanding Education, Health and Care Plans

An EHCP is a legal document. It’s for children who need a lot of extra help. Not all children with SEN need an EHCP. But some children do.

📄 EHCP Basics

📖 What an EHCP Is

An EHCP is:

A legal document
Lasts until age 25 (if needed)
Describes your child’s needs
Says what support they must get
Names the school they will go to

The EHCP covers three areas:

Education: Learning support at school
Health: Medical support like therapy
Care: Social care if needed

Why EHCPs are important:

Schools must provide the support listed
It’s legally binding
Continues through school changes
Reviewed every year
Can continue into college

Current numbers (DfE Statistics 2024):

517,000 children have an EHCP
This is about 4% of all children
Numbers are growing each year
Most children with EHCP stay in mainstream schools

🤔 When Might Your Child Need an EHCP?

🎯 Signs an EHCP Might Be Needed

Your child might need an EHCP if:

SEN Support is not helping enough
They have significant difficulties
They need specialist support
Problems affect many areas of learning
They might need a special school

Examples of significant needs:

Severe learning difficulties
Complex autism
Serious physical disabilities
Severe mental health problems
Multiple areas of difficulty

What “significant” means:

Much greater than other children their age
Likely to continue without special help
Needs support that costs a lot of money
Needs very specialist teaching
Affects their daily life significantly

Important note:

Having SEN doesn’t automatically mean your child needs an EHCP. Many children get the help they need through SEN Support. The decision depends on how much support your child needs.

📋 What’s in an EHCP?

📑 The Sections of an EHCP

Section A: Your child’s details

Name, address, date of birth
Family information

Section B: Special educational needs

Detailed description of your child’s needs
How these affect their learning

Section C: Special educational provision

What support your child will get
How often they’ll get it
Who will provide it

Section D: Health needs

Medical needs related to SEN
Links between health and education

Section E: Health provision

Health support your child will get
Who will provide it

Section F: Social care needs

Social care needs related to SEN
How these affect education

Section G: Social care provision

Social care support
Who will provide it

Section H: Placement

Name and type of school
Why this school was chosen

Section I: Personal budget

If you want to manage some funding
How this would work

How to Get an EHCP: The Complete Process

Getting an EHCP involves several steps. The process can take up to 20 weeks. Here’s what happens.

📝 Starting the Process

🚀 Making the Request

Who can request an EHCP assessment:

You (the parent)
Your child (if over 16)
The school
Another professional working with your child

How to make the request:

Contact your local authority SEN team
Ask for an “EHC assessment”
You can do this by phone, email, or letter
They must give you information about the process

What information to include:

Your child’s full name and address
Date of birth
Description of their needs
What support they’re already getting
Why you think they need an EHCP

Documents to gather:

School reports
Any professional reports
Examples of your child’s work
Evidence of their difficulties
Previous assessments

⏱️ The 20-Week Timeline

📅 What Happens When

Weeks 1-6: Decision on assessment

Local authority reviews your request
They look at evidence you provided
They talk to school and professionals
They decide if assessment is needed
You get written decision

Weeks 7-16: Gathering evidence

Professionals assess your child
Educational psychologist assessment
Medical checks if needed
School provides detailed report
You give your views as parent

Weeks 17-20: Writing the EHCP

All evidence is brought together
Draft EHCP is written
You get 15 days to comment
You choose preferred school
Final EHCP is issued

What if they say no?

You have the right to appeal
You get 2 months to decide
Free mediation is available
Tribunal can overturn decision

🔍 The Assessment Process

📊 What Happens During Assessment

Educational assessment:

Educational psychologist meets your child
Tests their learning abilities
Observes them in school
Writes detailed report

School’s report:

Describes your child’s needs
Shows what support they’ve tried
Explains what progress was made
Says what help they think is needed

Medical assessment:

Doctor examines your child
Reviews medical history
Considers health needs
Links health and education needs

Your contribution:

You write about your child’s needs
Describe their strengths
Explain their difficulties
Say what outcomes you want
Give your views on school placement

Your Rights as a Parent

As a parent, you have important rights in the SEN process. Knowing these rights helps you get the best support for your child.

⚖️ Legal Rights

📜 What the Law Guarantees

Right to information:

Schools must tell you if they have SEN concerns
You must be involved in planning support
You have the right to see your child’s SEN records
Local authority must publish information about services

Right to be involved:

You must be consulted about your child’s support
Your views must be considered
You should be partners in decision-making
You can request reviews of support

Right to request assessment:

You can ask for EHC assessment
Local authority must consider your request
If they refuse, you can appeal
You have right to independent support

Right to choose schools:

You can state preference for school
Local authority must consider your choice
They can only refuse for specific reasons
You can appeal school decisions

🗣️ Having Your Say

💬 Making Your Voice Heard

In meetings:

Ask questions if you don’t understand
Request interpreters if English isn’t your first language
Bring a friend or advocate for support
Take notes or ask for written summaries
Don’t feel rushed into agreeing

Between meetings:

Keep in regular contact with school
Email or phone if you have concerns
Keep records of conversations
Save important emails and letters
Take photos of your child’s work

If you disagree:

Explain your concerns clearly
Ask for reasons in writing
Request second opinions
Contact parent support services
Consider formal complaints

Preparing for meetings:

Write down your questions beforehand
Gather any evidence you want to share
Think about what outcomes you want
Read any reports in advance
Plan what you want to say

🆘 When Things Go Wrong

⚠️ Resolving Problems

If school won’t provide support:

Talk to class teacher first
If that doesn’t help, contact SENCO
Speak to head teacher
Make formal complaint to governors
Contact local authority

If local authority refuses EHCP:

Ask for detailed reasons in writing
Consider mediation (this is free)
Appeal to SEN Tribunal
Get independent support
Gather more evidence

Using mediation:

This is free and independent
Helps you and local authority agree
Less stressful than tribunal
Quicker than formal appeals
You can still appeal if it doesn’t work

SEN Tribunal appeals:

Independent legal process
Can order local authority to provide support
No cost to you
You can get legal help
Takes several months

Getting Help and Support

You don’t have to navigate the SEN system alone. There are many people and organisations who can help you.

🤝 Free Support Services

📞 Where to Get Free Help

SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service):

Free, confidential, and independent
Available in every local authority area
Can help you understand the system
Support with meetings and appeals
Find your local service at www.iass-network.org.uk

IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice):

Free legal advice
Help with appeals and tribunals
Guides and factsheets
Phone helpline
Visit www.ipsea.org.uk

Contact (for families with disabled children):

Support and advice
Local parent groups
Training courses
Helpline and online chat
Visit www.contact.org.uk

Citizens Advice:

General advice about rights
Help with appeals
Free and confidential
Available online and in person
Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

🌐 Online Resources and Information

💻 Helpful Websites

Government information:

GOV.UK SEN section: Official guidance and your rights
Local authority websites: Local services and processes
Department for Education: Policy updates and statistics

Charity and support organisation websites:

National Autistic Society: Autism-specific advice
British Dyslexia Association: Dyslexia support and information
ADHD Foundation: ADHD resources and guidance
Scope: Disability rights and support
Mencap: Learning disability support

Professional organisations:

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists: Communication difficulties
British Psychological Society: Educational psychology information
Council for Disabled Children: Policy and practice guidance

Parent forums and communities:

Mumsnet Special Needs board
Local Facebook groups
Special Needs Jungle blog
SEN Resources blog

👥 Local Support Networks

🤗 Finding Local Help

Parent support groups:

Meet other families in similar situations
Share experiences and advice
Often specific to conditions or local areas
Ask SENDIASS about groups near you
Check library and community centre noticeboards

Voluntary organisations:

Local disability charities
Youth groups for children with additional needs
Befriending services
Respite care providers
Activity clubs and support groups

Professional services:

Educational consultants
Independent SEN tribunals specialists
Child development centres
Family support workers
Specialist solicitors

How to find local support:

Contact your local authority family information service
Ask at your GP surgery
Check children’s centre noticeboards
Look at council and NHS websites
Ask other parents at school

Common Questions Parents Ask

Here are answers to the questions parents ask most often about SEN and EHCP.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will having SEN support affect my child’s future?

No, getting the right support helps your child reach their potential. Many successful people had extra help at school. The support is designed to remove barriers to learning, not limit opportunities.

Do I have to agree to SEN support for my child?

Schools should discuss support with you first. You can’t stop them providing reasonable adjustments in class. But you should be involved in planning any additional support.

Can my child go to university if they have an EHCP?

Yes! Many people with EHCPs go to university. The EHCP can continue through college to age 25. Universities have disability support services too.

What if my child doesn’t want to be seen as different?

This is common. Talk to school about making support as natural as possible. Help your child understand that everyone learns differently. Focus on their strengths.

Can I choose any school for my child with an EHCP?

You can express a preference. The local authority must agree unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s needs, affect other children’s education, or be an inefficient use of resources.

How long does SEN support last?

As long as your child needs it. Some children need support throughout school. Others may need less help as they get older. It’s reviewed regularly.

What happens if we move house?

If your child has an EHCP, the new local authority must maintain it. You might need to find a new school. SEN support should continue but may be organised differently.

Can private schools refuse children with SEN?

Private schools can set their own admission criteria. But they cannot discriminate against disabled children. They must make reasonable adjustments.

Do siblings of children with SEN get extra support?

There’s no automatic support, but many areas have sibling support groups. Schools should consider the impact on the whole family.

What if I disagree with professionals?

You can ask for second opinions, request different professionals, or seek independent assessments. SENDIASS can support you with disagreements.

🎯 Key Things to Remember

💡 Essential Points

About your child’s needs:

Every child is unique
Having SEN is not shameful
Early help makes a big difference
Your child has strengths as well as difficulties
Support can change as your child grows

About the process:

You are your child’s best advocate
Keep records of everything
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Get help if you need it
Be patient – things take time

About working with professionals:

You know your child best
Share information openly
Ask for explanations in plain English
Don’t feel intimidated
Build positive relationships

About your rights:

You have important legal rights
You should be involved in all decisions
You can challenge decisions you disagree with
Free help is available
Don’t give up if at first you don’t succeed

Moving Forward: Next Steps

Now that you understand SEN and EHCP better, here are practical steps you can take to help your child.

📋 Action Checklist

✅ What to Do Next

If you think your child has SEN:

☐ Talk to your child’s teacher
☐ Ask to meet with the SENCO
☐ Keep a diary of your child’s difficulties
☐ Gather any professional reports you have
☐ Contact SENDIASS for advice

If your child already has SEN support:

☐ Make sure you understand their support plan
☐ Ask how you can help at home
☐ Attend review meetings
☐ Keep track of progress
☐ Speak up if support isn’t working

If you’re considering requesting an EHCP:

☐ Gather evidence of your child’s needs
☐ Get advice from SENDIASS or IPSEA
☐ Discuss with school first
☐ Consider if SEN support could be improved instead
☐ Write a clear request letter

If you disagree with decisions:

☐ Ask for reasons in writing
☐ Get independent advice
☐ Consider mediation
☐ Keep detailed records
☐ Don’t delay if you want to appeal

🌱 Supporting Your Child at Home

🏠 How You Can Help

Building confidence:

Focus on what your child can do well
Celebrate small achievements
Don’t compare with other children
Help them understand their own needs
Teach them to ask for help

Working with school:

Share information about what works at home
Ask teachers for specific advice
Be consistent between home and school
Attend meetings and events
Communicate regularly

Looking after yourself:

Connect with other parents in similar situations
Take breaks when you need them
Ask family and friends for help
Keep learning about your child’s needs
Don’t blame yourself

Planning for the future:

Think about next stages of education
Help your child develop independence skills
Keep good records
Build positive relationships with professionals
Stay hopeful about your child’s future

Conclusion: You’re Not Alone in This Journey

Understanding SEN and EHCP can feel overwhelming at first. But you’ve taken an important step by learning about the system. Remember that you’re not alone. Millions of families navigate this journey every year.

🌟 Key Messages to Remember

Your child has the right to an education that meets their needs

You are your child’s best advocate and your voice matters

Help is available when you need it

The most important thing is to focus on your child’s strengths and potential. Having SEN doesn’t limit what your child can achieve in life. With the right support, they can reach their goals and live a fulfilling life.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are many people and organisations ready to support you. Keep learning, keep advocating, and keep believing in your child.

Every small step you take to understand and support your child’s needs makes a difference. You’re already doing an amazing job by reading this guide and learning about how to help your child succeed.

📤 Share This Guide

Help other families understand SEN and EHCP

This guide explains complex systems in simple terms. Share it with:

Parents who are new to the SEN system
Families wondering if their child needs support
Teachers who work with parents
Anyone who supports families with additional needs

Because every child deserves the support they need to thrive.

🎯 Need Expert Support for Your Child’s Education?

Specialist tutors can provide the individual support children with SEN often need

Experienced SEN tutors can help by offering:

Individual attention: One-to-one support tailored to your child’s needs
Specialist knowledge: Understanding of different learning difficulties
Confidence building: Patient, encouraging approach to learning
Curriculum support: Help with school work and homework
Learning strategies: Teaching techniques that work for your child
Progress tracking: Regular feedback on improvements
Transition support: Help with moving between schools
Family guidance: Advice for supporting learning at home

Because sometimes extra individual support can make all the difference to a child’s progress and confidence.

Find Your Expert Tutor

Connect with qualified tutors who understand special educational needs and know how to help children succeed.

SEN and EHCP Explained Simply: A Parent’s Complete Guide