If your child needs something a bit different at school then you may be wondering where to start and what can be done to help. You may have had meetings with the SENCO and begun to introduce some changes. The term SEN or Special Educational Needs covers a wider range of difficulties. It can be hard as a parent to understand what your child is struggling with at school.
About 18% of children in English schools are identified as having SEN at some point in their school career, and about 5% will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This means that 1.6 million pupils in England have been identified as having SEN. These numbers have been increasing each year since 2016. According to the UK government, the most common type of need in England for those with an EHCP is autism, and for those with SEN support without an EHCP it’s speech, language and communication needs.
These courses and webinars discuss working with school, explain how to get help and what you can expect. They also discuss specific issues and what you can do to help your child.
If you need more than school can offer, we also have courses that discuss the EHCP process and how to apply.
In Wales, the term SEN was used but since 2021 they have been transitioning to using the term ‘additional learning needs’ (ALN) instead. In Scotland, the term ‘additional support needs’ (ASN) is used.
Tips and strategies from a teacher and educational psychologist
Are you a parent navigating the complexities of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Tribunal process? Parents say it ranks as one of their most stressful life events. This course is designed specifically to guide parents through the challenging journey. Whether you're new to the process or seeking to deepen your understanding, this mini-course by Dr Abigail Fisher (Educational Psychologist) will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to advocate effectively for your child's educational needs.
Many children with learning disabilities are anxious - but those around them might not recognise this as anxiety. They're unlikely to say 'I'm worried' but instead will show us their feelings through their behaviour. Behaviour which can be hard to manage. How can parents recognise anxiety in their children, and what do you do then? In this course, Naomi explains how anxiety works and why it can be a problem for children with learning disabiltiies. She'll give you practical ideas to reduce anxiety and help your children thrive. It is suitable for parents of children with learning disabilities or global developmental delay.
EOTAS is a provision for students whose needs cannot be met within a traditional school setting, and is a bespoke, individualised education. In this course, Dr Abigail Fisher, educational psychologist, will help you understand the process, benefits, potential costs and unexpected challenges of EOTAS.