School Support / Advice & next steps
What is SEN support?
You do not need to know the right SEND terminology before speaking to school. Describe what the child finds difficult, where it happens and what would help them take part or learn.
Quick answer
SEN Support is the help a mainstream school or setting puts in place when a child or young person has special educational needs. It should be matched to identified needs, planned with the family, delivered in practice and reviewed for impact. A formal diagnosis is not required before support can begin.
What this means
SEN Support is usually organised through a graduated approach of assess, plan, do and review. The SENCO coordinates this process, while teachers remain responsible for the child’s learning and day-to-day support. Provision may include teaching adjustments, communication support, sensory changes, targeted interventions, pastoral help or advice from outside specialists. The plan should identify needs, outcomes, provision and review arrangements.
SEN Support should be individual rather than a standard package. Two children with the same diagnosis may need different provision, while a child without a diagnosis may still need substantial support.
Reasonable adjustments and SEN Support can overlap, but neither should depend on a family paying for private assessment or therapy.
Questions to ask
What needs has the school identified and what evidence supports that view?
What provision will happen, how often and who will deliver it?
How will we know whether the support is helping?
When will the plan be reviewed with the family and child?
Local Northamptonshire route
SEN Support is arranged by the school or setting. North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire publish separate Local Offer information about local SEND services and separate SENDIASS contact routes. Use the relevant area’s information if you need free impartial guidance alongside the school conversation.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Most families begin with the school, Local Offer and SENDIASS. Private assessment or independent advice is optional and should answer a clear question rather than replace the school’s responsibility to identify and support needs.
What happens next?
The school should deliver and review the agreed support. If it is not helping, ask what will change and whether specialist advice is needed. Where needs may require provision beyond SEN Support, you can discuss an EHC needs assessment request without waiting for a diagnosis.
Support that may help
School SENCO · Class teacher or tutor · SENDIASS · Local authority or health specialist, where involved
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.