What is SEND?

If you or your child has Special Educational Needs or a Disability, you may be described as having SEND. Having SEND means you meet either or both of the following:

Special Educational Needs (SEN), which is defined in the Children and Families Act 2014 as:

A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability that means they need extra or different support in education compared to others their age. This includes:

Having much more difficulty learning than most children of the same age.
Having a disability that makes it hard to use the same school or college facilities as others.

and or:

A smiling child in a modified chair holding the arm of a smiling woman.

Disability, which is defined in the Equality Act 2010 as:

A person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental condition that:

Has a substantial (more than minor) effect on their daily life.
Is long-term, meaning it lasts or is expected to last 12 months or more.

This can include conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and mental health difficulties.

In most cases, you do not need a diagnosis to access support.

Areas of SEND

The SEND code of practise 2014 breaks SEND up into 4 main areas of need. These are:

Communication and Interaction	Difficulties with speech, language, and communication, as well as things like autism.
Cognition and Learning	Learning difficulties, which can range from mild to severe, and specific learning difficulties like dyslexia or dyscalculia.
Social, Emotional, and Mental Health	Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, as well as difficulties with social interaction and behaviour.
Sensory and/or Physical Needs	Physical disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and sensory processing difficulties.

You or your child may have needs in more than one area, and these needs can change over time. The most important thing is to understand the individual and make sure the right support is in place.

Descriptors of Needs

In Newcastle, we’ve created guidance called the Descriptors of Need.
These provide detailed explanations of different types of needs and the best ways to support them.

The Descriptors of Need are used in education to:

Create a shared language for talking about support for children and young people with SEND.
Give teachers and professionals clear guidance to identify needs and provide the right support.
Help parents and carers understand their child’s needs and what support might be available.

👉 Visit our SEND Descriptors of Need page to learn more.

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