What is SEN (Special Educational Needs)?

In England, a child has special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability that calls for special educational provision, meaning support that is additional to, or different from, what is normally available to children of the same age. The framework is set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, which covers ages 0 to 25.

There are two main levels. SEN support is arranged by the school or setting using a graduated approach of assess, plan, do and review. Where needs are more complex, the local authority can carry out an assessment and issue an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

England and Wales

SEN is now the term used in England. Wales replaced SEN with additional learning needs (ALN) from September 2021, with individual development plans (IDPs) instead of statements. You may still see “SEN” in older Welsh records or used informally.

Why it matters for your setting

• Many pupils in alternative provision and small schools have SEN, whether or not it has been formally identified.
• Knowing a pupil’s needs before they start helps you plan staffing, sessions and support.
• Schools and commissioners often ask how you are meeting needs, so keep clear, dated notes.

How PupilDB helps

PupilDB records each pupil’s SEN/ALN status and coordinator, and the SEN/ALN report gives you a quick list of these pupils across your centres.