Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo)

In every school, there’s a dedicated SENDCo, a qualified teacher responsible for organising support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

SEND Governor

This person sits on the board of governors for a school and is responsible for monitoring and supporting the school with matters relating to SEND.

Class Teacher

A Class Teacher plans and teaches lessons. They also assess and monitor the progress of children in their class and highlight to parents and the SENDCo any concerns about a child’s development and learning.

Teaching Assistant (TA)

Children with SEND may have a TA who works with them throughout the school day, depending on the plan of support in place for that child. TAs are sometimes called Learning Support Assistants (LSA) or Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA).

Local authority

Educational Psychologist (Ed Psych)

They assess a child’s special educational needs and offer advice in relation to any educational difficulties. This could include social and emotional problems, learning difficulties, issues around disabilities and complex developmental disorders. They are often involved in EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) assessments and reviews.

Specialist Teacher

A teacher who has expertise in working with children with specific needs. This might be a child who is visually impaired, hearing impaired, or has multi-sensory impairment. They can work directly with the child or can provide guidance and recommendations to school staff. Specialist teachers will have specific qualifications to deal with your child’s needs.

Area SENDCo

Oversees SEND provision in a specific area, offering training and guidance to SENDCos.

In Early Years, the Area SENCo provides guidance to early years providers on the development of inclusive environments. They help to link between the education, health and social care aspects to deliver appropriate early provision for children with SEN. In addition, they assist with their transition to school once they’re at compulsory school age (the term after they turn 5 years old)

SEND Team

Handles EHC assessments, plans, and reviews. They are responsible for requesting assessments, issuing and reviewing plans, and educational placements. They also act as a go-between for yourself and any decision-making panels. You can find out the name & contact details of your local team through the Local Offer page. (link needed here)

SEND Caseworker

Responsible for EHCPs, and they are often specific to certain schools in the area. This job title may be different depending on your local area.

Head of SEND

Oversees services for children and young people with SEND in the area. They may also be involved in complex cases, such as independent school placements, and deal with any complaints regarding Local Authorities.

SENDIASS / SENDIAS Service

SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service

It offers information, advice, and support to children. SENDIAS services are statutory, free, confidential and impartial.

Although funded by local authorities, SENDIAS Services are run either at arm’s length from the local authority

Disability Social Worker

They assess the needs of the child and family, coordinating a package of support. This support could include adaptations to the home, short breaks or respite.

Health

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)

Provides assessment and therapy for communication difficulties in children. Therapists will often create a plan that can be delivered in school, and sometimes at home. Referrals to SALT can often be made by schools, parents or GPs.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

This service provides assessment and therapy for children who have difficulty with their gross motor skills (such as running & jumping) or fine motor skills (such as holding a pen & dressing themselves). This therapy can also support children and young people who struggle with sensory processing.

Physiotherapy (Physio)

Offers assessment and therapy for children and young people with mobility, movement, and muscle strength difficulties.

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)

Provides support for emotional and mental well-being in children up to school-leaving age. You can find your local CAMHS service here. (link needed)

Neurodevelopmental Service

Assesses and supports children with concerns about neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Paediatricians

Doctors who assess, diagnose, and manage medical conditions affecting children.

PALS – Patient Advice and Liaison Service

Offers confidential advice and support on health-related matters. This also includes helping to resolve concerns and if you want to make any complaints. You can find your local PALS on the NHS website. (link needed)

National services

SEND First-tier Tribunal (SENDIST)

Handles appeals against local authority decisions regarding EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) SEND

LGO (Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman)

Investigates individual complaints about councils in a fair and independent manner. You can find out more on the LGO website.

Inclusion manager (all inc eg English as addnl lang)

SEND Governor (voluntary) works with Chair of Governors

Class teachers (implement EHC plans)

Teaching/Learning support assistant

S&L Therapists

Occupational therapist

Child psychology(Ed Psych)

Physiotherapy

School counsellor

Family Liaison officer

CAMHS team

Carers/respite carers

Healthcare specialists (speech and language, physio etc)

teacher assistant

send lead

head teacher

safe guarding team

therapist

healthcare

councellor

send co

family worker

social worker

SLT - seniour leadership team (Assitant headteacher and deputy headteachers)

Headteacher

Head of years or Department leads