Special educational needs in England are overseen by the Department for Education. Students receive compulsory education from ages 5 to 18 and are generally expected to achieve a grade C or higher in core subjects by age 16. The legal framework is established by the Children and Families Act of 2014 and focuses on early identification, multi-agency support, and considering students' and families' views. Students may have needs related to communication, cognition, social/emotional/mental health, or physical/sensory issues. Formal plans and funding levels are determined through assessment and may include education, health, and care plans to support outcomes.

1. Special Educational
Needs in England

2. An overview
• Overseen by the Department for Education;
• Compulsory schooling from 5 – 18 years;
• General expectation that all students achieve
a Grade C in English and Maths at GCSE level;
• Academic year runs from September to July.

3. Types of school
Special
2-19years
Nursery
3-4 years
Primary
5-11 years
Secondary
11-16 years
Further education
(sixth form and colleges)
16 years and over

4. The legal framework for SEN
• Children and Families Acts 2014
- early identification
- joint working between education, health and
social care services
- listening to the views and wishes of children,
young people and their families
• The Special Educational Needs and Disability
Code of Practice

5. Areas of SEN
• Communication and Interaction
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Cognition and learning
- Moderate learning difficulties
- Severe learning difficulties
- Specific learning difficulties (e.g. Dyslexia)
- Profound and Multiple learning difficulties

6. Areas of SEN
• Social, emotional and mental health
difficulties
• Sensory and/or physical needs
- Physical disabilities e.g. Cerebral Palsy
- Sensory impairment (hearing/visual/multi-
sensory)

7. Identification and assessment of SEN
• SEN support
• Statutory assessment
• Education, Health and Care Plans

8. Education, Health & Care Plans
• Legal document
• Includes child/family
views and wishes
• Education, health and
social care support
• Outcomes
• Funding details

9. Funding
Element 1
• £4000
Element 2
• £6000
Element 3
High needs top up' - value varies by
level of need

10. Preparing for Adulthood
• Education and employment
• Good health
• Independent living
• Friends, relationships and community

11. Into employment
• Sixth form curriculum
• Work placements
• Supported Internships