SEN Support refers to the actions that mainstream schools should take to remove barriers to learning and provide effective educational provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Chapter 6 of the SEN and Disability Code of Practice 2015 explains the actions that mainstream schools should take to meet their duties in relation to identifying and supporting all children with Special Educational Needs, whether or not they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. Schools (including maintained schools and academies that are not special schools, maintained nursery schools, 16 to19 academies, alternative provision academies and Pupil Referral Units) are expected to plan how to deal with children’s SEN, and make sure that their staff have relevant training and are equipped to respond to the needs.

Here in Manchester, we have guidance documents for “Ordinarily Available Provision” (OAP) that outline how mainstream schools can support children and young people with SEN. There’s also a “Matching Provision to Need Tool” (MPNT) that outlines the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle) and the different levels of support that should be provided to meet children’s needs.

You can read more about SEN Support on Manchester City Council’s SEND Local Offer and on the SENDIASS website (factsheet #4).

Below are some articles and events on our website that refer to SEN Support: