Special Educational Needs (SEN)

WHAT IS SEN?

SEN stands for 'Special Educational Needs'. The phrase Special Educational Needs is defined in section 312 of the Education Act 1996.

Section 312 states that:

"(1) a child has "special educational needs" for the purposes of this Act if he has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him.

(2)...a child has a "learning difficulty" for the purposes of this Act if -

(a) he has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of his age,

(b) he has a disability which either prevents or hinders him from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of his age in schools within the area of the local education authority, or

(c) he is under [compulsory school age] and is, or would be if special educational provision were not made for him, likely to fall within paragraph (a) or (b) when of...that age."

However, section 312 also states that:

"(3) A child is not to be taken as having a learning difficulty solely because the language (or form of the language) in which he is, or will be, taught is different from a language (or form of a language) which has at any time been spoken in his home."

Religion is not considered to be a SEN and gifted children can also not be said to have SEN.

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Although the information we have provided here is meant to be helpful to you, Douglas Silas Solicitors cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy or reliance placed upon it. If you have any concerns about your child, you should seek professional educational or healthcare advice as soon as possible.