Where do young people get support?

Most young people with SEND:

  • Go to a mainstream school or college
  • Do not need an EHCP

Support can include:

  • Good teaching in class
  • Extra help in small groups
  • Support just for you

This is called the Graduated Approach

How do people know if you have SEND?

SEND can be noticed by:

  • Your school or college
  • Your parents or carers
  • Other professionals (like doctors)
  • Or everyone working together

 Recognising SEND early helps you get support sooner

Types of support you might get

There are 3 main ways:

  1. SEND Support Plan (SSP)
  2. EHC Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
  3. Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Most young people have SEN support without an EHCP

What is SEN Support?

Your school must help you. They must:

1. Keep records

  • They write down:
  • Your needs
  • What you find hard
  • Your goals
  • What support you get

2. Do their best

They must do everything they reasonably can to help you

3. Ask for more help if needed

If school support isn’t enough, they can ask for an EHC Needs Assessment (EHCNA)

4. Follow your EHCP (if you have one)

If you have an EHCP the school must give you the support in it

What is a SEN Support Plan (SSP)?

An SSP is a plan that explains:

  • What you find difficult
  • What help you need
  • What you are working towards

It can change as you grow and improve

What is in the SEN Support Plan?

Your plan should include:

Your voice

  • What you think
  • What you want for your future

Your strengths

  • What you are good at

Barriers

  • What makes learning harder

Outcomes

  • What you want to get better at

Support (provision)

  • What help you will get

What are outcomes?

Outcomes are:
The positive changes you want to see

Examples:

  • Making friends
  • Joining in activities
  • Feeling calmer
  • Saying “hello” to people

Outcomes are built in small steps

Small steps (Steps Towards)

Big goals are broken into small steps

Examples:

  • Look at someone when your name is called
  • Say “hello” to a friend
  • Ask a simple question

These steps help you build confidence and progress

Reviewing your plan

Your plan should be checked:

  • Every term
  • With you and your parents/carers

This helps to:

  • See what’s working
  • Change support if needed
  • Celebrate progress

Working together

Your school should:

  • Talk to you and your parents
  • Set clear goals
  • Review progress

You all agree:

  • What school will do
  • What you will do
  • What your parents will do

Thinking about your future

This starts early and includes:

  • Jobs and careers
  • Learning new skills
  • Living more independently
  • Hobbies and community 

From Year 9, this must be part of planning

Your rights (Equality Act)

You must not be treated unfairly because of a disability

Schools must:

  • Make reasonable adjustments
  • Help you take part in school

Important to know

  • Schools must support medical needs 
  • Schools must check support is working
  • You should be included and supported