In Croydon, every child and young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has the right to receive the support they need in their local mainstream school or setting. The Croydon’s Local Area Mainstream Offer sets out what support should be provided for children with SEND without the need for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

This means that schools, early years settings, and colleges in Croydon are expected to put in place a range of strategies, interventions, and resources to help children with SEND thrive in their learning and development. This support is known as the Croydon’s Local Area Mainstream Offer and should be available to all children who need it.

If your child has additional needs, their school or setting should:

• Identify and assess their needs early.
  
• Put in place the right support using the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review).
  
• Make reasonable adjustments to help them access learning.
  
• Provide targeted interventions, specialist resources, and extra help where needed.
  

The Croydon Ordinarily Available Provision Guidance helps parents and carers understand what schools and settings should be doing to support their child.

It covers areas such as:

• Quality-first teaching (teaching that meets the needs of all learners).
  
• SEN support in schools and early years settings.
  
• How schools should adapt teaching, the curriculum, and the learning environment.
  
• Support for social, emotional, and mental health needs.

 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.

Croydon Local Area Offer for Pupils with SEND

Ordinarily Available Descriptors