What Is the SEND Code of Practice?
The SEND Code of Practice (2015) is the statutory guidance that governs how children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are identified, assessed, and supported in England. It applies to:
- All mainstream schools (primary and secondary)
- Special schools
- Early years settings
- Further education colleges
- Local authorities
- Health services
When a school or local authority makes a decision about a child with SEND, they must have regard to the Code of Practice. This means they must follow it unless they have a very good reason not to.
The Key Principles
The Code of Practice is built on four core principles:
- The views of the child and their parents must be taken into account
- The participation of children and parents in decision-making
- The importance of early identification and intervention
- Greater choice and control for parents and young people over support
In plain English: your voice matters, your child's voice matters, problems should be caught early, and you should have a say in what support looks like.
The Four Areas of Need
The Code identifies four broad areas of special educational need:
1. Communication and Interaction
- Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
- Autism spectrum conditions (ASC)
- Difficulty understanding or using language
- Social communication difficulties
2. Cognition and Learning
- Specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia)
- Moderate learning difficulties (MLD)
- Severe learning difficulties (SLD)
- Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD)
3. Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
- Anxiety and depression
- ADHD
- Attachment difficulties
- Self-harm
- Challenging behaviour related to underlying needs
4. Sensory and/or Physical Needs
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Multi-sensory impairment
- Physical disability
Many children have needs that span more than one area. The labels are less important than getting the right support.
What Schools Must Do
The Graduated Approach
The Code requires schools to follow a four-stage cycle for children with SEN:
- Assess — identify the child's needs through observation, assessment, and in consultation with parents
- Plan — agree outcomes, choose interventions, and set a clear plan with parents
- Do — implement the plan, with the class teacher remaining responsible for the child's education
- Review — evaluate progress, review the plan, and adjust as needed
This cycle should be repeated at least three times a year, and parents should be involved at every stage.
The SEN Information Report
Every school must publish an SEN Information Report on its website. This should tell you:
- How the school identifies children with SEN
- What support is available
- How the school evaluates its provision
- How the curriculum is adapted
- What training staff have had
- How children with SEN are included in activities
- How the school supports emotional wellbeing
The SENCo
Every school must have a qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). Their role includes:
- Coordinating provision for children with SEN
- Liaising with parents
- Managing teaching assistants and support staff
- Working with external agencies
- Ensuring the graduated approach is implemented
- Preparing for EHCP reviews
Your Rights as a Parent
The Code of Practice gives you specific rights:
Information
- You must be told if your child is being placed on the SEN register
- You must receive copies of your child's SEN support plan
- You must be invited to review meetings (at least three times a year)
- You can access your child's educational records
Involvement
- Your views must be sought and considered
- You should be involved in setting targets and choosing interventions
- You can request meetings with the SENCo at any time
- You can request an EHC needs assessment
Challenge
- If you disagree with the school's provision, you can request a meeting with the head teacher
- If you disagree with the local authority's decision about an EHCP, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal
- You can access free, impartial SEND Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) in your area
- You can request mediation before going to tribunal
When the System Isn't Working
If your child isn't getting the support they need:
- Document everything — keep copies of letters, emails, plans, and assessments
- Put concerns in writing — email the SENCo and head teacher
- Contact SENDIASS — your local authority must provide this free, impartial service
- Request a formal meeting to review your child's provision
- If you have an EHCP — request an emergency annual review
- If you don't have an EHCP — consider requesting an EHC needs assessment
- As a last resort — contact Ofsted, the ombudsman, or the SEND Tribunal
Useful Resources
- SEND Code of Practice (full document)
- IPSEA — free SEND legal advice
- Find your local SENDIASS
- SOS!SEN — independent advice and support
- Council for Disabled Children
- Browse our SEN guides for information on specific conditions
The system can feel jungly and bureaucratic, but the Code of Practice exists to protect your child's rights. Know what you're entitled to, document everything, and don't be afraid to push for what your child needs. The law is on your side.