Enhanced Learning Provision, or ELP, is extra support given in some Croydon mainstream schools to help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) learn, grow and take part in school life.

ELPs are designed for students who need more help than what is usually available in the classroom, but who can still enjoy learning in a mainstream school with the right support.

An ELP is like a small, supportive space or classroom within a mainstream school.

It gives you access to:

• Smaller class sizes and more focused learning.
• Specialist teachers and staff who understand your needs.
• Tailored approaches to support learning, communication, emotional regulation and independence.
• Opportunities to join mainstream classes where appropriate, with the right support in place.
• A learning environment that is nurturing, understanding, and able to meet individual needs.

ELPs are for children and young people who have needs such as:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with Complex Communication Needs
  
• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
  
• Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)
  
• Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) Needs
  
• Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD)
  
• Physical and Medical Needs (PMN)
  

You will need to be in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and meet the admissions criteria for that specific provision to access an ELP.

There are ELPs in both primary and secondary schools across Croydon. Each one is slightly different and supports different types of need.

You can talk to your school SENCo or your Croydon SEND Caseworker to find out which ELPs might be a good match for you.

Access to an Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP) is not through direct application by parents or carers. Instead, the process is managed by Croydon’s SEND Service as part of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) consultation process.

If an ELP is being considered for your child, it will be discussed during EHCP reviews or during the process of finalising or amending an EHCP. The SEND Service will then consult with ELP schools to see whether they can meet your child’s needs, based on the information in the EHCP and supporting reports.

Parents and carers will be kept informed throughout this process, and your views will always be taken into account when identifying suitable provision.

To find out more or talk through your child’s options, you can:

• Speak with your EHCP Coordinator or the SEND Service.
• Talk to your child’s school SENCo.
• View the attached document (Enhanced Learning Provisions (ELP) - Primary and Secondary) with details about ELPs, including schools with current ELPs and their specialisms.

Enhanced Learning Provisions (ELP) - Primary and Secondary