Special educational needs

In 2014, the government introduced a major transformation of the way services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are delivered.

The changes were designed to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families are fully involved in decisions about their support and what they want to achieve.

The changes mean that:

• Children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities may be eligible for an SEN support plan or an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan. These have replaced statements and learning difficulty assessments.
• Children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities are eligible for an assessment for an education, health and care plan from birth until the age of 25 whilst in education.
• Children and young people who are eligible for an education, health and care plan are offered the option of a personal budget to provide more choice over their care package.
• Each local authority has a 'local offer'
  
• Professionals work in a coordinated way to join up help across education, health and social care.