Special educational needs and disability (SEND)

Communication and interaction

• Speech, language and communication problems
• Autism or Asperger’s

Cognition and learning

• A learning difficulty involving reading, writing, numbers or memory, for example, dyslexia
• Learning disabilities
• Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
• ADHD

Mental health issues

• Other emotional or social issues such as difficulty forming relationships

Physical and sensory

• A visual or hearing impairment
• A physical disability

Just because a child or young person is slower at learning than you expected or has English as a second language, that doesn’t mean that they have special educational needs, although they may have if they also fall into one of the categories above.

There are two kinds of support for young people with special educational needs and disability.

• SEN support is provided by the school or college. It may involve, for example, a special educational programme, extra support in class or help with practical issues such as eating or getting around.

• Education, health and care (EHC) plans are for children and young people up to the age of 25 whose needs are more complex and require more specialist support than a school or college can provide. EHC plans have replaced statements of special educational needs for children and learning difficulty assessments for young people. An EHC plan involves a formal assessment by West Sussex County Council of social care, health and education needs and how those needs will be met.

If you already have support in place, this can continue up until the age of 25 if needed. If you do not already have support in place, speak to your school or college in the first instance. If you are not in school or college or you need to request an EHC plan, you can contact West Sussex County Council to find out what support is available.

Contact:

Children’s Access Point (0-18 year olds) 
Phone: 01243 642127
Email: cap@westsussex.gcsx.gov.uk

Adults’ CarePoint (18-25 year olds)
Phone: 01243 642121
Online: 'Online contact us form'

There is more information about SEN support and EHC plans in the children with special educational needs (SEN) section of the Gov.uk website and on the West Sussex Local Offer.

The Department for Education has produced a guide for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities that explains how the system of support for SEND works. You can read and download the guide from the Gov.uk website.

West Sussex County Council - Special educational needs and disability (SEND)

Find support, guidance and information for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.

West Sussex Parent Carer Forum is a free membership organisation for parents and carers in West Sussex run by a group of parents.

It offers members support, training, representation and information.

Phone: 01903 726188

Email: parents@wspcf.co.uk

'Contact' a Family is a charity for families who are caring for a disabled child. It has a freephone helpline and online information and advice.

Phone: 0808 808 3555

Email: helpline@cafamily.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm