What is SEND Code of Practice?

SEND Code of Practice – All You Need to Know

In the United Kingdom, all schools must abide by the guidelines with regards to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code while taking decisions involving pupils with disabilities or special education needs (SEN). This code of practice is applicable from all academies, maintained schools, and free schools.

Earlier, the 2001 code of practice had unconnected sections for secondary and primary secondary schools, however, the current code SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years does not differentiate between the secondary and primary phases. The code clarifies that local authorities (LAs) must make certain that young people, children, and their parents are included in all decisions and discussions regarding their individual backing and local provision. Additionally, schools, early year’s providers, and colleges should also take measures to make certain that young people, children, and their parents are vigorously supported in providing inputs to needs valuations, evolving and going through education health and care (EHC) plans.

Also, the valuation and preparation process must permit children, their parents, and young people to bring forward their viewpoints, needs and aspirations, and be part of the supervisory process. The process should also:

• Be stress-free for young people, children, and their parents to comprehend and use easily understandable images and language, instead of professional jargon
• Bring together appropriate specialists to talk over and come to an agreement about the complete line of attack
• Bring a result-oriented and synchronised plan for young people and children and their parents
• Empower young people and children to speak their ideas and state what they have done and are interested in doing; also, state the results they are looking for in the times to come
• Focus on young people and children as an individual
• Focus on children's or young individual’s strengths and capabilities
• Arrange valuations to reduce demands on families
• Tailor support to the requirements of an individual

The Children and Families Act (2014) transformed regulation relating to young individuals and children with SEND. The SEND Code of Practice is constitutional direction for organisations that support and work with young individuals and children with special educational needs and disabilities. This constitutional code of practice encompasses:

• Informations of lawful requirements that an individual must keep an eye on without exclusion
• Statutory guidance that an individual must keep an eye on by law except there is a specific reason to avoid it

The code of practice describes the responsibilities of schools and colleges, health bodies such as NHS, and local authorities to be responsible for those with SEN under part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014. The code, which applies to England, is for:

• Principals and head-teachers
• College and school staff
• Early education providers
• Governing bodies
• Local authorities
• Social services and heath staff
• Special educational needs (SEN) coordinators

The SEND code of practice document substitutes the ‘Special educational needs (SEN): code of practice’ 2001. However, the SEN: code of practice 2001 is still applicable for individuals who have a special education needs (SEN) statement covered under part 4 of the Education Act 1996, instead of an education, health and care (EHC) plan covered under the Children and Families Act 2014.

Children and young people with SEN: specific circumstances

The guidelines provide information on assisting young individual’s and children people who have special educational needs (SEN) and such individual conditions have need of supplementary concern. It provides information about young people and children with SEN who are:

• Care leavers or looked-after
• Children of service personnel
• Educated out of area, in alternative provision, in hospital or at home
• Having certain social care needs, comprising those who are youngsters in need
• In youth custody

Key Insights

As per a report published in May-17, there were a total of 175,233 young individuals and children with constitutional Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans and 112,057 young individuals and children with declarations of special educational needs (SEN) upheld by LAs as of Jan-17. Collectively, the total number of young individuals and children reached 287,290, an increase of 12.1% or 30,975 individuals as compared to 256,315 young individuals and children as in Jan-16. Below mentioned table described the total number of young individuals and children since 2012

Children and young people with statements or EHC plans at census date each year		2012	2013	2014	2015			2016			2017
		Statements	Statements	Statements	Statements	EHC plans	Total	Statements	EHC plans	Total	Statements	EHC plans	Total
Number of children and young people with statements or EHC plans:
Under 5 years of age		10,416	10,944	11,482	10,575	675	11,250	1,984	8,529	10,513	281	11,348	11,629
Aged 5-10		82,360	84,843	88,732	89,162	1,883	91,045	68,627	23,586	92,213	43,477	53,902	97,379
Aged 11-15		115,992	114,966	113,796	111,013	1,327	112,340	90,434	20,791	111,225	54,442	58,098	112,540
Aged 16-19		21,388	22,678	23,101	25,230	308	25,538	21,061	20,239	41,300	13,857	44,177	58,034
Aged 20-25		.	.	.		10	10	.	1,064	1,064	.	7,708	7,708
Total		230,156	233,431	237,111	235,980	4,203	240,183	182,106	74,209	256,315	112,057	175,233	287,290

Speak with an expert

Any questions? Schedule a call with one of our experts.

Book a call