SEN support in schools in England

In short

• Many autistic children get extra help at school through "SEN support", without an EHC plan.
• Every school must identify and meet the special educational needs of the pupils it teaches. The SENCO leads this work.
• Schools usually follow a cycle of assess, plan, do and review.
• You do not need a diagnosis before the school can offer SEN support.
• This guide covers England only.

What SEN support means

The SEND Code of Practice for England sets out how schools, colleges and councils should support children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). A child has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability that needs special educational provision. Many autistic children have needs of this kind, but autism alone does not decide what support a child gets. What matters is what the child needs in order to learn and take part in school life.

SEN support is the help a school gives from its own budget and resources. It can include:

• extra adult help in lessons or small group work
• adapted teaching, resources or materials
• support with social situations, breaks and lunchtimes
• sensory or environmental changes, such as a quieter place to work
• specific programmes, such as speech and language or social skills groups

Your child does not need an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan to receive SEN support. Most children with SEN are supported this way.

The graduated approach

The Code describes a "graduated approach". Schools work through a cycle:

1. Assess. The school gathers information about your child's needs. This can include teacher observations, attainment, your views and your child's views, and advice from outside professionals.
2. Plan. The school agrees what support will be put in place, what it is for and how progress will be measured. You should be part of this conversation.
3. Do. The support is delivered, usually by teachers and support staff who know your child.
4. Review. The school checks whether the support is working and changes it if needed.

The cycle then starts again. This is a continuing process, not a one-off meeting.

The SENCO

Every maintained school and academy in England must have a special educational needs co-ordinator, called the SENCO. The SENCO is responsible for the day-to-day running of SEN support across the school. They usually lead the assessment and planning, keep records, and work with teachers and outside services.

You can ask to meet the SENCO. It is reasonable to ask how your child's needs have been identified, what support they receive, and how you will know whether it is working.

Working with the school

Good relationships make a real difference. You may find it helpful to:

• keep a short written record of what you notice at home and at school
• share what helps your child at home, including routines, communication preferences and triggers
• ask for a written plan or a note of agreed actions after each meeting
• ask how the school will tell you about problems early, rather than at the end of term
• ask for a review date, so the plan does not stay the same for years

You can also ask your child what helps and what does not. Autistic children often have clear views about their own support, and including them in planning can build confidence.

If you are not satisfied

If you disagree with the school, start with a conversation with the class teacher or SENCO. If that does not resolve it, you can ask for a meeting with the headteacher. Schools have complaints procedures, and your local council must publish information about SEN support in its area, called the local offer.

For free, impartial advice, contact your local SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS). It is a council-run service and it is confidential. Independent charities such as IPSEA can also give advice on your child's rights.

If you think your child may need more support than the school can provide through SEN support, you can ask the council for an EHC needs assessment. This is a separate process, covered in our guide on EHC plans.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.