Managed Service on behalf of
Special Educational Needs Code of
Practice
The Special
Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001) applies to any
setting or school that receives Government funding. The Code
of Practice states that children have SEN if they have a
learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision to
be made for them. Children have a learning difficulty if
they have any of the following:
A significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority
of children of the same age;
A disability that prevents or hinders them from making use of
educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of
the same age in schools within the area of the local authority.
or:
- Are under compulsory school age and fall within the definitions
above or would do so if special educational provision was not made
for them.
The SEN Code of Practice sets out five fundamental principles
that support inclusive education. These principles are:
- A child with special educational needs should have his or
her needs met
- The special educational needs of children will normally be met
in mainstream schools or settings
- The views of the child should be sought and taken into
account
- Parents/Carers have a vital role to play in supporting their
child’s education
- Children with special educational needs should be offered full
access to a broad, balanced and relevant education, including an
appropriate curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage
and the National Curriculum.
No-one should assume that all children will progress at the
same rate. Each child is an individual, with individual
strengths and needs. A judgement has to be made in each case
as to what it is reasonable to expect that particular child to
achieve.
