Educational help and support for children with a learning disability
Education Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university. starts from nursery and for some young people their education Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university. may continue until age 25.
Every child is entitled to an education. Education is a learning environment for your child or young person and includes nursery, school, college and other types of education such as alternative provision.
If you are the parent, guardian or carer of a child with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. , or you believe they may have a learning disability, it is important to know what support is available. This may be support they are currently receiving or they should be receiving. Support can change across ages and stages of development.
This page contains information on the education system, support available and guidance Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well. around how to access this support.
Where to find more support and advice about SEND
The Learning Disability Helpline team are a great source of information about special educational needs (SEN).
Plus, lots of parents and carers of people with a learning disability happily share experiences and advice on our online community A community is the people and places in an area. .
SEN means Special Educational Needs.
SEND means Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Every
council
A council is also called a local authority. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
must have a Local Offer of support it expects to be available in the local area for children and young people with SEND. The local offer will be available on the council’s
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
– if you are unsure, you can find your local council.
The local offer should have information about the following types of support for children and young people with SEND:
- Education support, including nurseries, schools and colleges.
- Health support, including therapies available to children or young people.
-
Social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
support, including short breaks. - Support to help young people to live independently.
- Support to help young people to find
employment
Employment means having a job.
opportunities. - Support to help young people find suitable accommodation.
All councils must provide the opportunity for you to give feedback about your local offer, and they must publish how they intend to address any issues you raise.
Every council must provide an independent Information, Advice and Support Service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support. (IASS). The support service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support. is available for children and young people with SEND and their parents.
The IASS will provide information on things like:
- local policies and practice around SEND
- the
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
on SEND - the Local Offer
- personal budgets
- other sources of support.
The IASS will also provide support for children, young people and families, including:
-
advocacy
Advocacy is when you get support to have your say.
- key working
- help to
complain
Complain is when you say you are not happy about something.
if something goes wrong
Independent supporters who can support families and young people with SEND to get an Education, Health and Care Plan.
An EHC plan sets out what help a child or young person needs while they're at school. This is known as a special educational need.
An EHC plan also outlines any special educational provision that child might receive. Your
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
will need to assess your child to decide whether they need an EHC plan.
The first thing you can do is request a meeting with the people involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. or write to the school or local authority A local authority is another name for your local council. It is a group of people whose job is to look after the area where you live. about your concerns. This problem solving toolkit from disability charity Cerebra has some helpful model letters and tips for preparing for a meeting.
If the people involved aren't able to find a satisfactory solution, you can take your concerns further and you may end up in contact with the SEND tribunal.
The creation of this page was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.