Introduction
Most children and young people with SEN will be supported in mainstream schools through extra help, known as SEN support. This follows a graduated response which starts with universal support and increases if needed.
Additional support is identified with the child or young person and their family through an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle.
Support from educational settings
The setting’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) or SEND Lead will arrange a meeting with you to discuss this, provide advice and recommend what support can be put in place by the setting at SEN support level. Depending on the nature of the special educational need, this may include behaviour support, small group work focusing on a certain area of the curriculum, access to specialist equipment or many other SEN support options.
All schools have clear guidelines, set out in Somerset’s Graduated Response Tool, on what support should be available. These help families, school staff, and service providers understand what to expect.
When more support is needed
If, following a period of review, it is agreed that your child is still not achieving expected levels of progress, or that their needs are not being met, it may be decided that an EHC needs assessment would help them. The educational setting can support you in submitting a request for assessment.