SEND jargon-buster

When a child needs extra or different help with learning compared with most children their age.

The umbrella term covering both learning needs and disabilities.

The help a mainstream school gives from its own resources, before or without an EHCP. It follows the graduated approach.

The assess, plan, do, review cycle a school uses to work out and adjust the support a child gets.

The support your council expects every mainstream school and nursery to offer from its own resources, without an EHCP. Many councils publish a guide to it.

The member of staff in a school responsible for coordinating SEND support.

Your council. Responsible for EHCPs, the Local Offer and SEND services in your area.

Information every council must publish about the SEND support and services available locally.

A free, impartial service in every council area that helps parents understand and navigate SEND.

A national charity offering free, legally based advice on SEND and appeals.

Support from the council and its partners for a family before problems get bigger, often coordinated through an Early Help assessment.

A legal document for children and young people up to 25 who need more support than SEN Support can give. It sets out their needs, the outcomes they’re working towards, and the support the council must provide.

The formal assessment the council carries out to decide whether to issue an EHCP. You, or your child’s school, can ask for one.

The review, at least once every 12 months, that checks an EHCP is still right and up to date. For children under five, the council should consider a review every three to six months.

What the support in an EHCP is aiming to help the child achieve.

The actual support, therapies, staffing or resources a child receives.

Independent special schools approved by the Secretary of State that a council can name in an EHCP, alongside council and academy special schools.

A package of education arranged and funded through an EHCP for when a school placement isn’t suitable.

Choosing to educate your child at home yourself. It isn’t the same as EOTAS: the family usually arranges and pays for it.

The council’s duty to arrange suitable full-time education for a child who can’t go to school because of illness, exclusion or another reason.

Education arranged away from a mainstream school, for example in a pupil referral unit, for children who can’t attend school for the time being.

An amount of money from an EHCP that parents can have more say over how it’s spent.

Money paid to you so you can arrange some of your child’s support yourself.

A voluntary meeting that tries to resolve a disagreement with the council before, or instead of, going to tribunal.

The independent tribunal where you can appeal council decisions about EHC assessments and plans.

Required by law. Councils have statutory duties and deadlines for EHCPs.

Moving between stages of education, such as primary to secondary. An EHCP must be updated in good time for the move.

Planning from Year 9 for adult life: work, living independently, friends and community, and good health. It should be part of every EHCP review from then on.

In England, the right to choose which NHS-funded provider assesses your child for some conditions, including autism and ADHD, which can mean a shorter wait. Ask your GP.

Assesses a child’s learning, development and emotional needs and advises on support.

Supports communication and language, and sometimes eating and swallowing.

Supports everyday skills, motor skills and sensory needs.

Supports physical movement, strength and mobility.

NHS mental health services for children and young people under 18.

A doctor who specialises in children, often involved in assessment and diagnosis.

Home-based early learning support for pre-school children with SEND.

Supports the teacher and pupils in class, sometimes working one to one.

A named person who helps coordinate a family’s support across different services.

A lifelong developmental difference affecting communication, social interaction and sensory experience. Many people prefer the words autistic and condition.

Affects attention, impulsivity and activity levels.

A profile, often linked to autism, where everyday demands trigger high anxiety and avoidance. Many families now call it a Persistent (or Pervasive) Drive for Autonomy.

A category of SEND needs relating to emotional wellbeing and behaviour.

When a child finds it very hard to go to school because of anxiety or other emotional difficulties. Some councils call it EBSNA (non-attendance).

Difficulties with understanding language, using language, or communicating.

Terms describing different levels of learning difficulty and support need.

When a young child is significantly behind in two or more areas of development. It is often used as a working diagnosis before the age of five.

A specific learning difficulty that mainly affects reading and spelling.

A specific learning difficulty that affects understanding numbers and maths.

Affects physical coordination and movement.

Lifelong effects on the brain and body caused by alcohol before birth, often affecting learning, memory and behaviour.

How the brain takes in and responds to sensory information. A child may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sounds, light, touch and more.

Describes people whose brains work differently from what is thought of as typical, including autistic people and people with ADHD or dyslexia.

Hiding or suppressing autistic traits to fit in. It can be exhausting and hard to spot.

Self-stimulating movements or sounds, such as rocking or hand-flapping, that help with focus or regulating emotions.

A benefit for children under 16 who need extra care or have trouble getting around. It isn’t means-tested.

Replaces DLA for young people and adults aged 16 and over.

A benefit for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets certain disability benefits.

A free assessment by your council of what you need as a carer, which can lead to support for you.

A benefit for people on a low income or out of work, with extra amounts for a disabled child and for carers.

A parking permit for people with certain disabilities, including some children.

A scheme that lets you use the higher rate mobility part of DLA or PIP to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair.

A charity that gives grants to families on lower incomes raising a disabled or seriously ill child, for things like equipment, white goods and days out.

Activities and care that give disabled children fun experiences and give families a break.

Councils must support “children in need”, which includes disabled children. A social care assessment under section 17 can lead to help such as short breaks.

An NHS package of support for children with complex health needs.