Class teacher
The class teacher is the main adult who helps your child learn. They make sure every child in the class is learning well, even when other adults help.
They:
- set goals that help every child do their best
- notice when a child is finding learning hard
- try different ways of teaching to help each child
- manage classes effectively
- work with teaching assistants to plan work and check how well extra help is working
Teaching Assistant
A teaching assistant helps the class teacher. They help all children, including those with SEND, in the classroom, in small groups, or one‑to‑one.
Some children with SEND may have a teaching assistant with them for parts of the day, depending on what support they need in their plan.
Teaching assistants may also be called Learning Support Assistants (LSA) or Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA). Some are trained to give extra help with feelings (ELSA) or run Forest School or other nurture groups.
Intervention Teacher
An intervention teacher helps children who are finding schoolwork, behaviour or friendships difficult.
They may work with a small group or with one child. The SENCO or headteacher decides who needs this help.
Headteacher
The headteacher leads the school. They make sure the school is ready for all children to learn, feel safe, and enjoy school.
They:
- make sure the school follows SEND laws
- help staff spot children who need extra support
- build a kind and respectful school
- keep the school safe and welcoming
- work with parents and other professionals
- make sure children get the right support and changes when needed
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
The SENCO is the teacher who leads on SEND in the school. They make sure children with SEND get the help they need.
They:
- run the school’s SEND policy day-to-day
- work with the headteacher and school governors
- organise support for children with SEND
- keep the SEND register up to date
- work with parents, staff and outside professionals
- help families understand what support is available through the Local Offer
- help children move smoothly to their next school
Most SENCOs are part of the school leadership team. In smaller schools they may be part time, or shared between local schools. They are qualified teachers and work towards a special SENCO award if they are new to the job.
Parent and Family Support Advisors (PFSAs)
Parent and Family Support Advisors (PFSAs) help school-aged children and families who need some extra support. PFSAs are available to all parents but will usually only work directly with a family when they are going through a tough period and they need that extra help to get them through. They help with things like behaviour, school attendance, feelings, healthy eating, money worries or feeling lonely. They can signpost families to more specialist support if it is needed.
You can contact your school to speak to the PFSAs.
Assessment and Reviewing Officer (ARO)
The Assessment and Reviewing Officers (AROs) and Senior Assessment and Reviewing Officers (SAROs) coordinate Somerset’s statutory Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan processes. They make sure the council follows the legal steps and timeframes, using evidence from professionals and families to support the decision‑making panels that consider each request and decide whether to start an assessment, issue an EHC plan, or issue an amendment.
When your child’s Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) begins, you will not have an ARO allocated straight away. This is because the first part of the assessment focuses on gathering information about your child. An ARO will be allocated to you once the assessment is complete and a decision has been made about whether your child will receive an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC plan). If an EHC plan is going to be issued, your ARO will work with you to create and finalise the plan.
These officers work across two key teams:
- The SEND Assessment and Review Team – leading the statutory processes, assessments and formal decisions linked to EHC plans.
- The Virtual School – supporting children with higher levels of vulnerability, complexity or crisis so they can access education and make progress.
Educational Psychologist
An Educational Psychologists (EP or Ed Psych) works with children to understand how they learn and what support they need.
They may watch the child in class, talk with them, or do activities to learn about their strengths and needs. They also help with difficulties such as learning, communication, emotions, behaviour, disability or more complex needs.
EPs help individual children and support whole‑school approaches too.
Watch the video below to find out what an educational psychologist does and what to expect when your child meets with an educational psychologist.