The SEN Code of Practice
The SEN Code of Practice gives practical guidance on the discharge of functions under Part IV of the Education Act 1996 to local authorities (LAs), the governing bodies of maintained schools and settings in receipt of government funding to provide early education — and to those who help them, including the health services and social services. It also provides general practical guidance to such settings about the provision of nursery education to children with special educational needs (SEN). All these parties are required to have regard to this Code.
The guidance in the Code
The Code sets out guidance on policies and procedures aimed at enabling pupils
with special educational needs to reach their full potential, to be included
fully in their school communities and make a successful transition to
adulthood. For the vast majority of children with SEN a mainstream setting will
meet all their special educational needs. Some children will require additional
help from SEN services or other agencies external to the school. A very small
minority of children will have SEN of a severity or complexity that requires
the local authority to determine and arrange the special educational
provision their learning difficulties call for.
The SEN Code of Practice recommends that schools adopt a graduated approach to match provision to children's SEN so that, where necessary, increasingly available specialist expertise can respond to a child's individual needs if they do not make adequate progress.
It also provides advice on carrying out statutory assessment of a child's SEN and of making and maintaining a statement of SEN for children with severe and complex needs; carrying out annual reviews of statements and planning for young people with SEN to make the transition to college, training and employment. The Code emphasises the importance of involving children and parents in decision-making and of effective multi-agency working to combine services around the needs of the child and their families.
A Toolkit to complement the Code
An SEN Toolkit, which is non-statutory, has also been produced. It provides additional information on SEN issues and suggests different kinds of action that schools might take to support children with SEN and it complements the SEN Code of Practice. Inclusive Schooling: Children with Special Educational Needs also complements the SEN Code of Practice and provides guidance on decision-making in relation to school placement of children with SEN.
SEN CODE OF PRACTICE DCSF 581/2001
How to order
You can order copies of the full SEN Code of Practice, DCSF 581/2001 (You will need to register with Teachernet first). Alternatively, you can order from the publication centre: telephone 0845 6022260 or email dcsf@prolog.uk.com, quoting the DCSF reference number above.
Inclusive Schooling — Children with Special Educational Needs
IRU's statement on SEN and disability
Removing Barriers to Achievement
North East Regional Partnership annual review 2007
SCRIP/SERSEN Regional Partnership annual review 2007
West Midlands Regional Partnership annual review 2007
Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Partnership annual review 2007
Last updated: 15 July 2007
