I am concerned about my    child’s development 

Special Educational Needs (SEN) means a child or young person may:

• find it more difficult to learn than other people their own age

• face challenges that make it difficult to go to school or college

• need extra or different support to assist their learning

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What is a disability?

Disability means a person may:

• have problems with their health

• find it harder to do things than other people

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According to the Children and Families Act 2014:

‘A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her. A child who is under compulsory school age has a special educational need if they have a learning difficulty or disability that is likely to require special educational provision when they reach compulsory school age or they would do, if special educational provision was not made for them. For children under the age of two, special educational provision means educational provision of any kind, including home-based programmes.’  

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Who can I talk to? 

If your child is under 5 years old, you should talk to your Health Visitor. You can also talk to your child’s Early Years Provider (your nursery, school or child minder) - all Early Years Providers should have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) who can help you.

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• To find out more about education and schools, as well as EHCPs, explore this section. 

• There is also information and support available from Northumberland's Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) here.

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How can the SEND local offer help?

The Northumberland SEND local offer gives children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families, information and guidance to help them find the right help and support across the county and the local area.

 

Find out more about the Northumberland SEND local offer here.