Glossary of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Terms

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Alternative Provision. Education arranged for pupils who cannot attend mainstream school due to exclusion, illness, or other reasons.

Autism Spectrum Condition (Previously known as Autistic spectrum Disorder)

Adjustments made to how a student learns or is assessed, without altering the content itself. Examples include extended test time, a quiet environment, or assistive technology.

A statutory review of a child or young person's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), required at least once every 12 months to evaluate progress and determine whether the plan remains appropriate.

The four categories under which SEND is classified:

1. Communication and Interaction

2. Cognition and Learning

3. Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) 4. Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Devices or software that help individuals with SEND to access learning and function independently. Examples include voice-to-text tools, screen readers, and mobility aids.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Services that support young people experiencing poor mental health, or difficult feelings or experiences.

Complex communication needs (often called CCN). CCN means that a person has difficulty using or understanding speech when communicating with others.

Child in Need. A Child in Need is a child who is thought to need extra support or services to help them to achieve or maintain ‘a reasonable standard of health or development’.

Child Looked After. A child who has been in the care of their local authority for more than 24 hours is known as a looked after child.

Disability Access Fund

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects reading, writing, and spelling skills. It makes it harder to process language but does not impact overall intelligence.

Emotionally Based School Avoidance

Education, Health and Care Plan. A legal document in England outlining the special educational, health, and social care needs of a child or young person with complex SEND, along with the support required.

Educational Psychologist. A professional who assesses cognitive, emotional, and behavioural issues in children, and advises schools and parents on how best to support learning.

English as second language

English for speakers of other / additional languages

Hearing Impairment. A reduced ability to hear in one or both ears. It may range from mild to profound and often requires hearing aids or other support.

Health and Wellbeing

Individual Education Plan. A tailored plan developed for students with SEND, detailing specific goals, the support they will receive, and how progress will be monitored.

A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their life.

Long Term Plan

All local authorities are required to publish a ‘local offer’ which outlines information about provision it expects to be available to children with SEN and disabilities in their area both in and outside of a school.

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub

Mental Health

Moderate Learning Difficulty. A term used to describe children and young people who display significant delays in reaching developmental milestones and have difficulty in accessing the curriculum.

The integration of students with SEND into regular education classes, supported as necessary to ensure participation and success.

A language programme designed to provide a means of communication to children and young people who cannot communicate efficiently by speaking.

An Occupational Therapist helps people of all ages overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities.

Profound and Multiple Learning Disability

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A condition that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic life-threatening event or serious injury.

Qualified Teacher of the Multi-Sensory Impaired

Qualified Teacher of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment

Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs

Statement of Educational Need

Special Educational Needs Coordinator. A teacher in every UK school who is responsible for managing provision for pupils with SEND and ensuring the school meets its legal obligations.

Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities. Applies to children and young people who have either or both: A significantly greater difficulty in learning than others their age; A disability which hinders their ability to access mainstream educational facilities.

The statutory guidance that accompanies the Children and Families Act 2014. It outlines duties for schools, local authorities, and health services in identifying and supporting children and young people with SEND.

Speech, Language and Communication Needs. Describes difficulties in understanding and/or using spoken language, which can impact learning, social development, and behaviour.

Speech and Language therapy

Safeguarding is defined as protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of their health or development, and ensuring they grow up in safe and effective environments.

Specific Learning Difficulties. Refers to difficulties in particular areas of learning (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, or dyspraxia), as opposed to global learning difficulties.

Educational or training provision that is additional to or different from what is typically provided for others the same age in mainstream settings.

A school specifically designed to provide education for children with significant or complex SEND that cannot be met in a mainstream environment.

Team Around the Child

Targeted Family Support teams

Specific, additional help provided to children whose needs cannot be fully met by universal provision. Often delivered in small groups or through focused interventions.

Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)

Visual Impairment. A condition that causes partial or total vision loss, which cannot be corrected fully with glasses or contact lenses, requiring specialist support and adaptations.