When a child has differences which affect progress or participation in their learning, they may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Your child does not need a diagnosis of a particular condition to have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Every setting should have an SEND information report available on their website with examples of support that can help your child. It can help answer questions including:
SEND stands for special educational needs and/or disabilities, which means that some children may need extra support to help them learn. The term covers a wide range of needs. These include behavioural, emotional and social differences, speech, language and communication, hearing impairment, visual impairment, multi-sensory impairment and physical disability.
Neurodivergent children will have varied needs, some may require lots of SEND support, while other children cope with very little intervention.
Having special educational needs and/or disabilities doesn't mean your child has been diagnosed with a particular condition. It just means that they have a barrier to learning which can make it harder for them to learn than other children of the same age. Identifying that your child has SEND means that the school or setting can provide extra support to help them.
SEND Support is an approach that is more tailored to supporting your child's needs. The preschool or nursery setting should:
If you have spotted patterns in behaviour or signs that you are concerned about at home, you should contact your child's key worker who is the person in your child's setting who knows your child the most. They should record your concerns and keep an eye out for differences that your child may be facing. At this point, they may begin to plan what level of support your child needs.
It may be that similar patterns of behaviour have been identified at preschool or nursery, which means you can begin to discuss the next steps.
If you have already spoken to your GP because you are concerned about your child, it's helpful to pass this information on to your child's setting.
Your child's preschool or nursery should:
If you are concerned your child is not getting enough support for their needs, it's important to speak to their setting and ask for more information about the support that is put in place. In many cases, support can take time to implement and show progress.
If you would like support to help you advocate for your child, SENDIASS Norfolk and Suffolk SENDIASS are information and advice services that can help you to understand what support your child is entitled to, and support the conversations with your setting.
Delaying School Admissions
If your child has developmental delays and you don't feel that they are ready to start school, you may have the option to delay. For example, if your child turns 4 in August, waiting before sending them to school may help prepare them better, but it's important to ensure your child is in full-time education by the time they reach compulsory school age.
If you decide to request to delay your child's start, a few options are available, including:
You will still need to apply for their school place at the same time as everyone else, but when you apply let them know you are interested in a later start date. You will also need to speak to your child's nursery or pre-school to ensure that they can continue to attend for the extra year and their place hasn't been allocated to someone new.
Find out more information about delaying school admissions here
Let us know what you think!
We've been working together in Norfolk and Waveney with families and professionals to put together information, advice and resources that are helpful to families. Let us know what you think, and anything we could change or add to make it even better.
If you live in Norfolk
You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
If you live in Waveney
Norfolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Norfolk.
Suffolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Waveney.
Mencap is a national charity who support people with learning disabilities. They offer a free Learning Disability Helpline with advice and guidance. Call 0808 808 1111 to speak to a trained professional.
Kooth offers online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support for anyone aged 10-18, seven days a week until 10pm.
Also in this section...
Soft starts involve allowing children to come in slightly earlier, or later or giving your child different activities to start the day than other children. This can help your child to have a more settled start to the day. 
A familiar comforter, blanket or sensory toy can help to reassure children. 
Visual timers can help children who need support with transitions by letting them know how long they have left to do an activity, or when they can go home. 
Making exceptions to a strict healthy eating policy, like drinking juice instead of water can help children who may have limited diets. It's more important that they eat and drink, so a setting that caters for their needs can help. 
A flexible approach to session times can help to meet a child's needs effectively. For example, having shorter session times and gradually extending them as the child settles can help the transition process. 
