Special Educational Needs (SEND)
What do we mean by “SEN”?
The term special educational needs (SEN) has a legal definition which is set out in the Education Act 1996. It applies to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it significantly harder for them to learn or access education than most other children of their age.
What do we mean by “disability”?
The Equality Act, 2010, defines a child with a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or long term effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities. The definition of disability includes a broad range of needs, and research suggests that about 6-7% of children are disabled
What support can we offer?
Our aim is to accurately identify all SEND children across Essex, working with families, the local authority and schools to offer an appropriate level of support. Any child identified with SEND will be will be guided through a bespoke pathway of interventions focused on preparing them for the next stage of life.
Services Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service offer across Essex are:
- Education resources
- Support and advice
- Parenting support groups
- Specialist equipment
- Safeguarding
Additional services Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service offer specifically for West Essex are:
- Children’s community nursing Services
- Speech and Language therapy
- Occupational and physiotherapy
- Community developmental paediatricians
- Allergy and dietetics services
More Information
Local Offer and Support
Useful Links
- Essex SEND Local Offer
- Essex SEND Local Offer Roadshows
- Essex SEND – Information, Advice and Support Service (essexsendiass.co.uk)
- SEND Operations Team | Essex Local Offer
- First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Home | Essex Family Forum
- SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Essex County Council SEND Support Services
