What does SEN support look like?

Most children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) attend a mainstream school. With the right support in place, all children can make good progress in our inclusive schools. 

Each school or setting has:

  • a member of staff called a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who oversees SEND support
  • SEN support plans
  • an accessibility plan setting out how children and young people with disabilities can be supported     
  • teachers trained to support a wide range of students
  • the option to ask for more support from our Newcastle City Council SEND service teams 

You'll find SEND policies and information about SEN support on your school's website. 

Children at school writing

Please know that a diagnosis is not needed for a student to receive SEN support in a school or early years setting. 

Quality First Teaching

All SEN support begins with Quality First Teaching. 

SEN support in schools and settings

Find out how students with SEND can be supported in a school.

Reviewing SEN support

Regularly checking SEN support helps ensure it meets a student's needs. 

Who oversees SEN support?

Every school and nursery has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). 

SEN support plans

Students that need more support than their peers will be given an SEN support plan. 

What if SEN support isn't enough?

Sometime the support schools and settings can give a student isn't enough. Find out what further support is available. 

Education and SEND
Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on June 4th 2026
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