Oxfordshire SEND local offer

Understanding if my child has SEND

Who to talk to first about your child's learning and development.

There is lots of help available, and you don't need to wait if you have concerns. 

  • 1 Talk to the right people

It's important not to jump to any conclusions, so your first step is to get all the facts about your child's development, including their likes, strengths and overall progress.

If you have a preschool age child:

  • Talk to your health visitor who can work with you to understand your child. Find out more about how on the Oxford Health website.
  • A health and development review (between the ages of two and two and a half) and an early years progress check (between the ages of two and a half and three) are completed. You will be invited to these automatically. 

The outcomes of these will be shared with you and if anything is identified, your health visitor will talk you through it.

If your child is at school:

Speak to your child's key person – a teacher, tutor or someone else supporting your child – so you can understand more about your child's progress.

If they feel additional advice or support is needed, the SENDCO will work closely with the teacher to ensure it is implemented.

If your child is at college:

When your child reaches the age of 16, they are able to make decisions themselves, but colleges will usually want to keep parents and carers informed.

Schools and colleges should work together to make it as easy as possible for your child when they move up. Transition planning ensures that the college knows all about what support your child needs.

If your child’s needs are picked up while at college or you are not happy with the support available, speak to the teaching staff. They have a duty to work with specialist support to identify SEN. Just like in a school there needs to be a named person with access to specialist skills and expertise. They may not be called a SENDCO but they still have some of the same responsibilities.

  • 2 Ask questions if you are unsure

There is a lot to take in, so use the questions below to help make sure you feel fully informed.

  • How are you measuring my child's progress against what might be expected of them at this age? 
  • Where have you assessed my child as being at the moment? 
  • In which areas or skills has my child made progress this year? 
  • Do you have any concerns in any areas of their development? 
  • How are you supporting my child to make progress in…? 
  • You've told me that my child is making less than expected progress. What additional support is in place to help them? 
     

  • 3 Understand next steps

Some additional support may be recommended to help develop your child's skills. As a parent or carer, you need to understand what the support is for, what it may be and how progress will be measured. 

It could be for any combination of the following:

  • Communication and language 
  • Personal social and emotional development 
  • Physical development 
  • Literacy 
  • Numeracy

  • 4 Understanding how the school can meet the needs of your child/ Young Person

  • Below are a list of question which can help support you in finding out how the school can support your child/ young person with their additional needs. Pick and choose the questions which are most suitable for you. These questions will also support with transitions from class to class or a new education setting.

    Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support

    • What specialist support is available for children and young people with SEN?
    • Do staff have experience supporting others with similar needs? What strategies have worked well?
    • How is important information about my child shared with different staff members?
    • How do you communicate with pupils, parents, and carers?
    • Will a staff member attend transition meetings or annual reviews at our current school?
    • What training do staff have in SEN support?
    • Can I speak to the SENCO if I have any concerns?

    Health Support

    • My child still needs pull-ups, who will provide support?
    • Will my child have free access to drinking water?
    • What should I do if my child is unwell?
    • Who will ensure my child receives their medication?
    • Are staff trained to administer medication, and where will it be stored during the day?
    • My child (or I) has regular hospital appointments—how should I inform you?
    • If my child has medical needs, how will they be supported to stay independent?
    • Are staff trained to provide personal care?

    Education Support

    • What support is available for my child in the classroom?
    • What help is provided during exams?
    • What assistive technology do you offer?
    • Are there dedicated spaces for learners who need higher levels of support?
    • Is there a buddy system to help my child settle in?
    • What facilities are available, such as libraries and computer rooms?

    Accessibility of the School Building

    • How accessible is the school building?
    • Where are the toilets located? Is there a disabled toilet, and can it be used independently?
    • Is there a lift, and can it be used without support?
    • Are there stairs, and do they have handrails or a ramp?

Remember, whether a child or young person has a disability, special educational needs, or both, there are laws and guidance to help ensure their needs are recognised and supported.

  • 5 Find support near you

You should be led by the advice of your professional - they can guide you through the process. But there is also plenty of additional support across the county.

You can access support and find activities from other groups and organisations based on your child’s age on the family information support service website.

  • 6. Additional resources to support your questions