SEND glossary
We know professionals can sometimes use terms and acronyms that are not always easy to understand.
They may also have different meanings depending on the organisation, so we’ve got some explanations that may be helpful.
If there’s something missing or not explained correctly, please let us know by emailing localoffer@camden.gov.uk.
Access arrangements
Reasonable adjustments that disabled students may be entitled to, specific to the individual, that mean they can take part in public exams.
Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU)
Funding given to schools for each enrolled pupil with or without SEN, varying by local authority and pupil age.
Alternative provision (AP)
Education arranged by a local authority that may be more appropriate than mainstream schools for students with various needs, such as behavioural difficulties, health issues or those without a school place. This may include full or part-time placements in pupil referral units, AP academies or home tuition.
Annual review
A mandatory review of an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan by the local authority that must take place at least every 12 months, or at least every 6 months for children under 5 years of age.
Area of need
The four broad categories describing a pupil’s SEND:
- Communication and Interaction
- Cognition and Learning
- Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
- Sensory and Physical
BSL
British Sign Language
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are NHS Services for children and young people with mental health difficulties. They offer assessments and different interventions depending on the level of need.
Children and Families Act 2014
Part 3 of this national law introduced significant changes to the SEND system in 2014, including new assessment arrangements, a local offer and increased decision making with young people and families.
Disagreement resolution
Independent services provided by local authorities to help resolve disputes related to SEND duties and provision.
Early help
Support offered to families to identify needs and provide interventions at an early stage.
EYFS
Early Years Foundation Stage is the statutory framework for all schools and Ofsted registered early years providers (e.g. nurseries) to follow which sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children ages 0-5.
EHCNA
An Education Health and Care Needs Statutory Assessment is provided by a local authority e.g. Camden to determine if a child or young person requires a formal Education Health and Care Plan.
EHCP
An Education Health and Care Plan is a formal document detailing a child or young person's educational needs and/ or disabilities. It also outlines their suitable educational setting and details of the support they are entitled to.
EP
Educational Psychologists assess a child or young person’s special educational needs to provide schools with advice on how they can support them.
Graduated approach
A step-by-step method for identifying and supporting students with SEND, involving cycles of assessment, planning, action, and review.
Key stage (KS)
The statutory national curriculum is split into educational stages. Key Stages 1 and 2 are for children in Primary School and Key Stages 3 and 4 are for young people in Secondary School:
- Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7, Years 1 and 2)
- Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11, Years 3-6)
- Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14, Years 7-9)
- Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16, Years 10-11)
- Key Stage 5 (ages 16-18, Years 12-13)
LA
A local authority, also known as a Council e.g. Camden.
Local Offer
All local authorities including Camden publish information about various services and organisations in the area that support children, young people and families with SEND.
Mainstream school
Schools that provide education for all children, whether or not they have special educational needs and disabilities.
Maintained school
Schools that are funded by a local authority (‘state school’) including community, foundation or voluntary, community special or foundation special schools.
Mediation
A voluntary process where an independent mediator assists in resolving disputes between parents or young people and local authorities or schools regarding SEND matters.
Personal budget
An amount of money identified to deliver parts of the support specified in an EHC plan, allowing families to have a say in how it is spent.
Reasonable adjustments
Changes or adaptations that schools and settings are required to make for inclusion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
SEND code of practice
Statutory guidance that tells local authorities, early years settings, schools, post-16 settings, health services and social care providers what they must do to identify, assess and provide for children and young people with SEND.
SEND information report
All schools must publish their SEND policy and how they support children with SEND on their website. This information should be regularly reviewed and updated.
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCO) are qualified teachers who are also responsible for leading SEND provision and support in schools and early years settings. They may refer children and young people to other services outside of education for appropriate support e.g. CAMHS.
SEND
SEND is the acronym used to encompass Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.
SEN support
Special Educational Needs support is any additional support that is implemented to help a child or young person access the curriculum.
Special Educational Provision
Special education is any educational or training provision that is in addition to, or different from, what is generally available for other children or young people of the same age. This can include various methods such as using sign language for communication, providing worksheets in larger fonts, or offering one-to-one or small group assistance.
Transition plan
A plan developed to support a child or young person’s move between different stages of education or into adulthood.
Tribunal
Tribunal refers to the legal body of First-tier tribunal which hears appeals on decisions made about EHC needs assessments, EHC plans and claims of disability discrimination. The tribunal hears appeals from parents or carers of children with SEND and young people with SEND.