Educational help and support for children with a learning disability
If you're a parent, guardian or carer of a child of school age 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.
, you'll want to know what support they should get and how to make sure they get it.
Our suite of pages about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are full of
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
and useful information.
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.
.
Frequently asked questions about educational support for children with a learning disability
SEN means Special Educational Needs.
SEND means Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Every council 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 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. The support service 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.
Find out more about your local information, advice and support service.
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 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 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.