SEN (Special Educational Needs) Support is the help given to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) in school or college. It is designed to help them learn and thrive alongside their peers.

SEN Support can include extra help in class, specialist equipment, or support from a teaching assistant.

Schools work with parents and carers to put the right support in place based on each child’s individual needs.

The Graduated Approach is a step-by-step way of providing SEN Support:

• Assess - Teachers and specialists assess the child's needs.
  
• Plan - A plan is made with the child, parents, and teachers, setting out the support needed.
  
• Do - The plan is put into action with regular support in place.
  
• Review - The support is reviewed to check if it's working or needs adjusting.

Croydon’s Ordinarily Available Provision Guidance sets out the types of support that all schools and settings in Croydon should provide to children with SEND. This includes things like extra time in exams, adapted teaching methods, specialist equipment, and emotional support.

The aim is to make sure every child with SEND has the right help to succeed without needing an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).

A Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) is a teacher in a school or early years setting who is responsible for making sure children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the right support. Every mainstream school must have a SENCo to help identify, assess, and plan support for children who need extra help with learning.

The SENCo works closely with parents, teachers, and other professionals to make sure each child’s needs are met. They help to create individual support plans, coordinate extra help in the classroom, and ensure that the school follows the SEND Code of Practice.

If you have concerns about your child’s learning, the SENCo is a key person to speak to. They can explain what support is available in school and help you understand what steps can be taken to help your child succeed.

You can read the full Croydon Ordinarily Available Provision Guidance to see what support your child should be able to access at school.

If you are unsure about what support is available, you can speak to:

• Your child’s class teacher or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
  
• The Croydon SENDIASS team, who provide free, impartial advice to parents and carers.
• The local SEND team, who can offer further information on support and services.

Graduated Approach

Ordinarily Available Provision Guidance

Croydon Children Unable to Attend School (Medical Needs)