I am a British Citizen living abroad in Japan. I have a permanent Job, family and acquired alot of properties Japan.My life is good and comfortable and by the fact that i don't have any family or relatives in UK. I would like to renounce my British Citizenship. Can I apply online if I am not in UK?

You might do this, for example, if you want to become a citizen of another country that does not allow dual citizenship.

Overview

You can apply to give up (renounce) your British citizenship or status. If accepted, you’ll get a ‘declaration of renunciation’ that you can use to show that you’re no longer British.

You can renounce your:

British citizenship

British overseas territories citizenship

British overseas citizenship

British subject status

British national (overseas) status

You can give up more than one at a time.

Giving up your citizenship or status only affects you and not any other members of your family - although it could affect the status of any children you have in future.

Your right to live in the UK will be affected if you give up citizenship.

When you can give up your citizenship

You can only give up your British citizenship or status if either of the following apply:

you already have another citizenship or nationality

you’re going to get another citizenship or nationality after giving up your British citizenship or status

You must also be:

aged 18 or over (unless you’re under 18 and married)

of sound mind (unless it’s decided that it’s in your best interest)

Apply

Fill in the form online. You’ll usually be able to keep your documents while your application is being processed.

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, you have to apply in person or by post instead. Check which you can do with your governor’s office.

If you live elsewhere, you can apply by post. This will take much longer than applying online because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Avoid applying by post, especially if you need your documents back by a specific date.

It is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus. This will not affect the decision.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

After you've applied

You’ll get a ‘declaration of renunciation’ if your application is successful. This will be your application form, officially signed and stamped.

The date your citizenship or status stops will be shown on the form.

Your supporting documents will be returned to you whether you’re successful or not.

Time limits if you’re getting another citizenship

You’ll have 6 months from when you received your declaration to get another citizenship - otherwise the declaration will no longer be valid and you’ll keep your British citizenship or status.

Resume your British nationality

In some cases it’s possible to resume your British nationality after renouncing it.

Read the guidance to check if you can apply.

It is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will not affect the decision. You’ll get extra time to provide your fingerprints, photo and additional information, and to book a citizenship ceremony.

How to apply

If you live elsewhere, you can apply by post. This will take much longer than applying online because of coronavirus. Avoid applying by post, especially if you need your documents back by a specific date.

Get help to apply online

do not have internet access

Fee

Pay the current fee for registration.

Your fee will not be refunded if your application is refused.

You’ll also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory

You’ll be told the fee for providing your biometric information when you apply.

Supporting documents

You’ll need to provide:

your copy of your declaration of renunciation (either form RN1 or R6)

your passport, or certificate of naturalisation or registration for your current citizenship or nationality

an official letter or statement from the country you’re currently a citizen or national of saying that if you had not given up your British citizenship you’d have lost or failed to get your current citizenship or nationality

If you gave up United Kingdom and Colonies citizenship you’ll also need to provide:

the birth, naturalisation or registration certificate of the person you have the connection to the UK with, and evidence of your relationship to that person, for example a birth, marriage or civil partnership certificate

evidence that you gave up citizenship because you believed you’d be deprived of your citizenship of a Commonwealth country unless you did so - this should be a separate letter explaining this plus any supporting documents

You may have to provide different documents if you originally gave up citizenship for a reason other than you’d have lost or failed to get citizenship of another country - read the guidance for details.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

You’ll be told how to provide your biometric information and supporting documents when you apply.

Overview

You can renounce your:

British citizenship

British overseas territories citizenship

British overseas citizenship

British subject status

British national (overseas) status

You can give up more than one at a time.

Your right to live in the UK will be affected if you give up citizenship.

When you can give up your citizenship

You can only give up your British citizenship or status if either of the following apply:

you already have another citizenship or nationality

You must also be:

aged 18 or over (unless you’re under 18 and married)

of sound mind (unless it’s decided that it’s in your best interest)

Apply

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

After you've applied

The date your citizenship or status stops will be shown on the form.

Your supporting documents will be returned to you whether you’re successful or not.

Time limits if you’re getting another citizenship

Resume your British nationality

In some cases it’s possible to resume your British nationality after renouncing it.

Read the guidance to check if you can apply.

How to apply

Get help to apply online

do not have internet access

Fee

Pay the current fee for registration.

Your fee will not be refunded if your application is refused.

You’ll also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory

You’ll be told the fee for providing your biometric information when you apply.

Supporting documents

You’ll need to provide:

your copy of your declaration of renunciation (either form RN1 or R6)

If you gave up United Kingdom and Colonies citizenship you’ll also need to provide:

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You’ll be told how to provide your biometric information and supporting documents when you apply.

Overview

You can renounce your:

British citizenship

British overseas territories citizenship

British overseas citizenship

British subject status

British national (overseas) status

You can give up more than one at a time.

Your right to live in the UK will be affected if you give up citizenship.

When you can give up your citizenship

You can only give up your British citizenship or status if either of the following apply:

you already have another citizenship or nationality

You must also be:

aged 18 or over (unless you’re under 18 and married)

of sound mind (unless it’s decided that it’s in your best interest)

Apply

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device

do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

After you've applied

The date your citizenship or status stops will be shown on the form.

Your supporting documents will be returned to you whether you’re successful or not.

Time limits if you’re getting another citizenship

Resume your British nationality

In some cases it’s possible to resume your British nationality after renouncing it.

Read the guidance to check if you can apply.

How to apply

Get help to apply online

do not have internet access

Fee

Pay the current fee for registration.

Your fee will not be refunded if your application is refused.

You’ll also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory

You’ll be told the fee for providing your biometric information when you apply.

Supporting documents

You’ll need to provide:

your copy of your declaration of renunciation (either form RN1 or R6)

If you gave up United Kingdom and Colonies citizenship you’ll also need to provide:

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

upload them into the online service

have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You’ll be told how to provide your biometric information and supporting documents when you apply.


My husband is very interested in sailing in deep seas as a hobby.He is a full time employee at a pest control company in England.During weekends he has been attending a coastguard  training course as an additional skill to his sailing interest. He has informed his employer and encouraged him to pursue it and count on his support. What training is required to be a coastguard volunteer?

You must pass initial training by HM Coastguard, followed by regular training to keep your skills up to date.

Volunteer as a coastguard

What the Coastguard Rescue Service does

The Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of volunteers and is part of HM Coastguard.

As a coastguard rescue officer you may have to:

help rescue people trapped on the coast, for example on cliffs, stuck in mud or in the water

search for missing people

report and deal with pollution and other hazards

help emergency services and local authorities during emergencies, for example flooding

gather information for the coastguard operations centre

go to schools, clubs and other public places to tell people about staying safe at sea and along the coast

carry out duties for the Receiver of Wreck, for example dealing with wreckage or dead whales and dolphins on the shoreline

What to expect as a volunteer

As a coastguard rescue officer you:

could be called out at any time of the day or night

may have to work in hazardous situations for long hours

may have to carry out physically demanding tasks, for example carrying heavy equipment to rescue sites

As a volunteer you will not be paid. You can claim a small amount for your time and expenses.

Volunteering and working

You can have a full time job and still be a coastguard rescue officer.

You must ask your employer if you can respond to emergencies during work hours before you become a volunteer.

You can still go on holiday - just let your coastguard manager know when you’re going to be away.

Training and equipment

This will include training in:

first aid

water rescue

map work

search techniques

communications

skills you need for your local area, for example rope rescue, mud rescue

Training is often held in the evenings or at weekends.

You’ll be given all the equipment and protective clothing that you need.

Who can apply

All of the following must apply:

you’re aged 18 or over

you have a full driving licence

you live or work within 30 minutes of the rescue station - check the map to find your nearest station

Your local station may have further requirements, for example you may need to live closer to the station.

Health and fitness

You need to be reasonably fit and generally in good health. You must also:

weigh 120kg or less

have a waist measurement of 110cm or less

You must take a health and fitness test, and meet eyesight and hearing requirements.

If you have type 1 diabetes there will be restrictions on what activities you can do. Contact crsenquiries@mcga.gov.uk to find out if you can apply.

How to apply

Contact your local area management team to find out if there are any volunteering opportunities.

To do this, you need to find which team is responsible for your area.

Check the map of coastguard stations in the UK. If you cannot access the map, contact crsenquiries@mcga.gov.uk.

Find the coastguard station you want to volunteer at on the map.

Check which area the station is in, for example ‘Area 1’.

Email the relevant area - you can find the contact details in the table. Use the subject line ‘coastguard rescue service enrolment’. Do not send your CV or any other attachments.

Area contact details

Find the email address for your local area.

Coastguard area | Email address |

1 | area1@mcga.gov.uk |

2 | area2@mcga.gov.uk |

3 | area3@mcga.gov.uk |

4 | area4@mcga.gov.uk |

5 | area5@mcga.gov.uk |

6 | area6@mcga.gov.uk |

7 | area7@mcga.gov.uk |

8 | area8@mcga.gov.uk |

9 | area9@mcga.gov.uk |

10 | area10@mcga.gov.uk |

11 | area11@mcga.gov.uk |

12 | area12@mcga.gov.uk |

13 | area13@mcga.gov.uk |

14 | area14@mcga.gov.uk |

15 | area15@mcga.gov.uk |

16 | area16@mcga.gov.uk |

17 | area17@mcga.gov.uk |

18 | area18@mcga.gov.uk |


My brother is 28 years and he is currently unemployed. He lives in kent and is a fully trained coastguard with a driving license.During covid lockdown he has had alot of stress and embarked on binge eating. He has since added weight and is now 145kg and his waistline is 130cm. A company near dover has accepted him to be a volunteer but first he must undergo health and fitness test. Will he qualify to be a coastguard volunteer ?

Volunteer as a coastguard

What the Coastguard Rescue Service does

The Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of volunteers and is part of HM Coastguard.

As a coastguard rescue officer you may have to:

help rescue people trapped on the coast, for example on cliffs, stuck in mud or in the water

search for missing people

report and deal with pollution and other hazards

help emergency services and local authorities during emergencies, for example flooding

gather information for the coastguard operations centre

go to schools, clubs and other public places to tell people about staying safe at sea and along the coast

carry out duties for the Receiver of Wreck, for example dealing with wreckage or dead whales and dolphins on the shoreline

What to expect as a volunteer

As a coastguard rescue officer you:

could be called out at any time of the day or night

may have to work in hazardous situations for long hours

may have to carry out physically demanding tasks, for example carrying heavy equipment to rescue sites

As a volunteer you will not be paid. You can claim a small amount for your time and expenses.

Volunteering and working

You can have a full time job and still be a coastguard rescue officer.

You must ask your employer if you can respond to emergencies during work hours before you become a volunteer.

You can still go on holiday - just let your coastguard manager know when you’re going to be away.

Training and equipment

You must pass initial training by HM Coastguard, followed by regular training to keep your skills up to date.

This will include training in:

first aid

water rescue

map work

search techniques

communications

skills you need for your local area, for example rope rescue, mud rescue

Training is often held in the evenings or at weekends.

You’ll be given all the equipment and protective clothing that you need.

Who can apply

All of the following must apply:

you’re aged 18 or over

you have a full driving licence

you live or work within 30 minutes of the rescue station - check the map to find your nearest station

Your local station may have further requirements, for example you may need to live closer to the station.

Health and fitness

You need to be reasonably fit and generally in good health. You must also:

weigh 120kg or less

have a waist measurement of 110cm or less

You must take a health and fitness test, and meet eyesight and hearing requirements.

If you have type 1 diabetes there will be restrictions on what activities you can do. Contact crsenquiries@mcga.gov.uk to find out if you can apply.

How to apply

Contact your local area management team to find out if there are any volunteering opportunities.

To do this, you need to find which team is responsible for your area.

Check the map of coastguard stations in the UK. If you cannot access the map, contact crsenquiries@mcga.gov.uk.

Find the coastguard station you want to volunteer at on the map.

Check which area the station is in, for example ‘Area 1’.

Email the relevant area - you can find the contact details in the table. Use the subject line ‘coastguard rescue service enrolment’. Do not send your CV or any other attachments.

Area contact details

Find the email address for your local area.

Coastguard area | Email address |

1 | area1@mcga.gov.uk |

2 | area2@mcga.gov.uk |

3 | area3@mcga.gov.uk |

4 | area4@mcga.gov.uk |

5 | area5@mcga.gov.uk |

6 | area6@mcga.gov.uk |

7 | area7@mcga.gov.uk |

8 | area8@mcga.gov.uk |

9 | area9@mcga.gov.uk |

10 | area10@mcga.gov.uk |

11 | area11@mcga.gov.uk |

12 | area12@mcga.gov.uk |

13 | area13@mcga.gov.uk |

14 | area14@mcga.gov.uk |

15 | area15@mcga.gov.uk |

16 | area16@mcga.gov.uk |

17 | area17@mcga.gov.uk |

18 | area18@mcga.gov.uk |

weigh 120kg or less

Volunteer as a coastguard

What the Coastguard Rescue Service does

As a coastguard rescue officer you may have to:

search for missing people

report and deal with pollution and other hazards

gather information for the coastguard operations centre

What to expect as a volunteer

As a coastguard rescue officer you:

could be called out at any time of the day or night

may have to work in hazardous situations for long hours

Volunteering and working

Training and equipment

This will include training in:

first aid

water rescue

map work

search techniques

communications

Training is often held in the evenings or at weekends.

Who can apply

All of the following must apply:

you’re aged 18 or over

you have a full driving licence

Health and fitness

weigh 120kg or less

have a waist measurement of 110cm or less

How to apply

To do this, you need to find which team is responsible for your area.

Find the coastguard station you want to volunteer at on the map.

Check which area the station is in, for example ‘Area 1’.

Area contact details

Find the email address for your local area.

Coastguard area | Email address |

1 | area1@mcga.gov.uk |

2 | area2@mcga.gov.uk |

3 | area3@mcga.gov.uk |

4 | area4@mcga.gov.uk |

5 | area5@mcga.gov.uk |

6 | area6@mcga.gov.uk |

7 | area7@mcga.gov.uk |

8 | area8@mcga.gov.uk |

9 | area9@mcga.gov.uk |

10 | area10@mcga.gov.uk |

11 | area11@mcga.gov.uk |

12 | area12@mcga.gov.uk |

13 | area13@mcga.gov.uk |

14 | area14@mcga.gov.uk |

15 | area15@mcga.gov.uk |

16 | area16@mcga.gov.uk |

17 | area17@mcga.gov.uk |

18 | area18@mcga.gov.uk |

Volunteer as a coastguard

What the Coastguard Rescue Service does

As a coastguard rescue officer you may have to:

search for missing people

report and deal with pollution and other hazards

gather information for the coastguard operations centre

What to expect as a volunteer

As a coastguard rescue officer you:

could be called out at any time of the day or night

may have to work in hazardous situations for long hours

Volunteering and working

Training and equipment

This will include training in:

first aid

water rescue

map work

search techniques

communications

Training is often held in the evenings or at weekends.

Who can apply

All of the following must apply:

you’re aged 18 or over

you have a full driving licence

Health and fitness

weigh 120kg or less

have a waist measurement of 110cm or less

How to apply

To do this, you need to find which team is responsible for your area.

Find the coastguard station you want to volunteer at on the map.

Check which area the station is in, for example ‘Area 1’.

Area contact details

Find the email address for your local area.

Coastguard area | Email address |

1 | area1@mcga.gov.uk |

2 | area2@mcga.gov.uk |

3 | area3@mcga.gov.uk |

4 | area4@mcga.gov.uk |

5 | area5@mcga.gov.uk |

6 | area6@mcga.gov.uk |

7 | area7@mcga.gov.uk |

8 | area8@mcga.gov.uk |

9 | area9@mcga.gov.uk |

10 | area10@mcga.gov.uk |

11 | area11@mcga.gov.uk |

12 | area12@mcga.gov.uk |

13 | area13@mcga.gov.uk |

14 | area14@mcga.gov.uk |

15 | area15@mcga.gov.uk |

16 | area16@mcga.gov.uk |

17 | area17@mcga.gov.uk |

18 | area18@mcga.gov.uk |


I am a mother to an adopted 14 years old son. He has a known existing ADHD condition which has impacted his life and experiences alot of learning difficulties. As a concerned parents i always want him to be given a closer eye even when in school with other pupils and assisted in learning.. What help can I get about these special concerns worrying me?

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Nurseries, playgroups and childminders registered with Ofsted follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The framework makes sure that there’s support in place for children with SEND.

Talk to a doctor or health adviser if you think your child has SEND but they do not go to a nursery, playgroup or childminder. They’ll tell you what support options are available.

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

an arrangement with your local authority or school where they hold the money for you but you still decide how to spend it (sometimes called ‘notional arrangements’)

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will move to an education, health and care (EHC) plan. This will normally happen at a planned review, or when your child moves school. Your council will tell you which.

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

If your child has a statement of special educational needs, they’ll have a ‘transition plan’ drawn up in Year 9. This helps to plan for their future after they leave school.

They’ll continue to get support during further education. Your child can also ask for an EHC assessment if they need more help than the school or college can provide.

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

Your child may be eligible for:

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

a special learning programme

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

extra help from a teacher or assistant

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

to work in a smaller group

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

observation in class or at break

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

help taking part in class activities

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).


My neighbour has a 19 year old physically disabled daughter who has performed very well in the former school. She is now joining college for further studies. My neighbour is concerned about her daughter's special education needs.. What can she do before taking her daughter there?

Contact the college before your child starts further education to make sure that they can meet your child’s needs.

Overview

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:

behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends

reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia

ability to understand things

concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD

physical ability

Who to talk to

If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery.

Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery.

Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.

Support your child can receive

Your child may be eligible for:

SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy

an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs

If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.

Special educational needs support

Your child will get SEN support at their school or college.

Your child may need an education, health and care (EHC) plan if they need more support than their school provides.

Children under 5

SEN support for children under 5 includes:

a written progress check when your child is 2 years old

a child health visitor carrying out a health check for your child if they’re aged 2 to 3

a written assessment in the summer term of your child’s first year of primary school

making reasonable adjustments for disabled children, like providing aids like tactile signs

Nurseries, playgroups and childminders registered with Ofsted follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The framework makes sure that there’s support in place for children with SEND.

Talk to a doctor or health adviser if you think your child has SEND but they do not go to a nursery, playgroup or childminder. They’ll tell you what support options are available.

Children between 5 and 15

Talk to the teacher or the SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) if you think your child needs:

a special learning programme

extra help from a teacher or assistant

to work in a smaller group

observation in class or at break

help taking part in class activities

extra encouragement in their learning, for example to ask questions or to try something they find difficult

help communicating with other children

support with physical or personal care difficulties, for example eating, getting around school safely or using the toilet

Young people aged 16 or over in further education

The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they need.

Extra help

An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.

EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

Requesting an EHC assessment

You can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan.

A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25.

A request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health visitors, teachers, parents and family friends.

If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for:

any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder

doctors’ assessments of your child

a letter from you about your child’s needs

The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether an EHC plan is going to be made for your child.

Creating an EHC plan

Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy.

You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college.

Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for the assessment to give you the final EHC plan.

Disagreeing with a decision

You can challenge your local authority about:

their decision to not carry out an assessment

their decision to not create an EHC plan

the special educational support in the EHC plan

the school named in the EHC plan

If you cannot resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

Personal budgets

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they need one.

It allows you to have a say in how to spend the money on support for your child.

There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. You can have:

direct payments made into your account - you buy and manage services yourself

an arrangement with your local authority or school where they hold the money for you but you still decide how to spend it (sometimes called ‘notional arrangements’)

third-party arrangements - you choose someone else to manage the money for you

You can have a combination of all 3 options.

Independent support for children of all ages

Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including:

replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan

moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan

You can find out how to get local support through:

Council for Disabled Children

Information, Advice and Support Service Network

your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’

If your child got support before September 2014

Your child will move to an education, health and care (EHC) plan. This will normally happen at a planned review, or when your child moves school. Your council will tell you which.

Your child will already be getting SEN support if they used to get help through:

School Action or School Action Plus

Early Years Action or Early Years Action Plus

Support after your child leaves school

If your child has a statement of special educational needs, they’ll have a ‘transition plan’ drawn up in Year 9. This helps to plan for their future after they leave school.

They’ll continue to get support during further education. Your child can also ask for an EHC assessment if they need more help than the school or college can provide.

Help and advice

You can call the Contact a Family helpline for help and advice.

You can also get help from Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA).