What is SEND?

What are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? 

Link to the SEND Code of Practice for parents and carers

Special Educational Needs are divided into four areas:  

• Communication and interaction – this includes all difficulties with speech & language, this can include communication needs associated with neurodiversities (autism, social communication needs, developmental language disorder etc)

• Cognition and learning – this incorporates general learning difficulties and can also include specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia etc. 

• Social, emotional and mental health – this includes mental health conditions, difficulties coping with emotions & stress, eating disorders etc.  

• Sensory and/or physical needs – this incorporates those with sensory processing difficulties, ADHD, visual or hearing impairment & physical disabilities etc.

Disabilities are differentiated from needs and are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.