SENAC (Special Education Needs Advice Centre)

Meeting Children’s needs through the SEN framework

If a child has special educational needs (SEN) the school will take account of the Code of Practice and apply the framework of support set out within the Code to identify, assess, provide for and review the child’s needs. The SEN Code of Practice and the Supplement to the Code outlines how help can be provided in school. This staged process is used to help identify and assess your child’s needs and provide support. Currently children are recorded under a 3 Stage framework set-out within a new Code of Practice. However, this new Code of Practice has not yet become operative, and the Education Authority apply the 3-stage framework for recording purposes only. The current 1998 Code of Practice remains the operative statutory guidance for assessing and providing for special educational needs. NB: This information on the SEN Framework will be updated when the new Code becomes fully operative. Summary of the 3 Stage SEN Framework as recorded on the SEN If a child is identified as having special educational needs and requires SEN provision, they will be recorded on Stage 1 of the SEN Register. This will be decided by the school’s Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) who is responsible for maintaining the SEN Register. If a child has identified medical needs, they may also be recorded on the school’s Medical Register. At Stage 1 a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) will be drafted. This is a detailed plan of targets for the child, based on the needs of the child. The learning plan will set out how the targets will be achieved and how they will be monitored. The plan will be reviewed twice a year. The new PLP is a standardised document which will be the same in all schools. In the 5 Stage system this is known as an Individual Learning Plan (IEP). The school will collect and record information and monitor the child’s progress. If your child requires additional support, they will be recorded at Stage 1 while a referral to the EA Support services and/or Educational Psychology Service is made and until the additional support is available. Stage 2 A child will be recorded at Stage 2 once the additional and specialist provision through the EA’s Pupil Support Services, or HSCT services are in place. A child will only be recorded at Stage 2 when they are receiving additional support, or when a child is undergoing a Statutory Assessment of their educational needs. If, after school support plus any external support, there is not enough progress, then a Statutory Assessment may be needed. An assessment will allow the EA to decide what further SEN provision is needed for your child. Register Stage 1