Code of Practice

1. Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice 2001.

The current SEN Code of Practice for England and Wales came into effect on January 1st 2002 and takes account of the provisions of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. The Code of Practice sets out the way schools and Local Authorities should provide extra support to meet children’s special educational needs.

The Code of Practice is available from the Department of Education.

The Code of Practice is shaped and supported by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001.

2. Special Educational Needs – A Guide for Parents and Carers.

If you are the parent of a child with special educational needs, the most useful publication is ‘Special Educational Needs – A Guide for Parents and Carers’. This guide provides an essential summary of the Code of Practice. It explains what help your child is entitled to, how you can access that help from schools and Local Authorities, and what to do if you encounter difficulties along the way.

It is available as a free download from DfE Publications
Hard copies are no longer available.

3. The SEN Tooklit.

‘The SEN Toolkit’ is designed mainly for schools and Local Authorities. It provides practical advice on how to implement the Code of Practice. It should be read in conjunction with the Code. It also provides a number of pages that can be copied and used as slides for training purposes.

It is available as a free download from DfE Publications
Hard copies are no longer available.

4. The Process of Assessment.

The core aim of the Government’s SEN policy is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to benefit from an inclusive education.

The Code of Practice recommends a graduated response to a child’s special educational needs. It is broadly divided into three stages:

School Action - This is the stage at which a teacher or Special Educational Coordinator (SENCO) identifies a child with special needs. In consultation with the child’s parents, they will agree to provide additional support beyond what is provided as part of the standard curriculum.

School Action Plus – In some cases, it may be necessary to seek help from specialist outside services. At this stage, School Action Plus is implemented.

Request for a Statutory Assessment – For some children, the stages above are not enough to meet their additional needs. In this case, either the school or the parents may ask for a statutory assessment. If you as a parent request this statutory assessment, the Local Authority will still need to contact the school or other professionals for evidence of your child’s needs.

For children under the compulsory school age but over 2 years old, the Code of Practice recommends the same three stages, but calls them Early Years Action and Early Years Action Plus.

5. Contacts for advice and support on Statementing and Special Educational Needs.

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

Advice line: 0300 0115 142.
Fax: 020 7354 9069.
Email: enquiries@ace-ed.org.uk
Web: http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/

Independent Parental Special Educational Advice (IPSEA)

Advice line: 0800 018 4016
Fax: 01394 446577
Web: http://www.ipsea.org.uk

Network 81

Tel: 0845 077 4055.
Fax: 0870 770 3263.
Email: info@network81.org
Web: http://network81.org/

SOS! SEN

Tel: 020 8538 3731
Web: http://www.sossen.org.uk

SEN Tribunal Service (Advice on Tribunal system, appeals, discrimination)

Tel: 01325 392760
Web: http://www.sendist.gov.uk

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