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Special educational needs

A child has special educational needs (SEN) if they have greater difficulty in learning than most other children of about the same age. A child’s SEN may be caused by learning difficulties; behavioural, emotional and social difficulties; speech, language and communication needs; visual or hearing impairment; or physical disabilities.

Many children have learning difficulties at some time in their education. These are often temporary and are usually dealt with by the school.

The County Council puts money into mainstream schools’ budgets to provide extra help for pupils with SEN. If a child shows signs of having special educational needs, the school takes a step-by-step approach. This may include:

  • an individual education plan that is reviewed regularly with you

  • extra help from a teacher or learning support assistant

  • individual or small-group teaching for short periods.

The level of help will be matched to your child’s needs and you will be kept informed at each stage of the process. Sometimes, too, the school will call on the help and advice of an educational psychologist or another professional.

Children with more severe needs

In most cases the step-by-step approach will ensure that your child gets all the help they need. A few children (about 2% nationally) will have more significant and long-term needs. These children may need a statutory assessment involving an educational psychologist, the school, parents and other agencies. This could lead to the child having a statement of special educational needs which explains how these needs are to be met. Most children with statements attend their local school and receive extra help there. However, a child with a statement may need to attend a special school or a mainstream school with additional facilities. You can contact the educational psychologist for your child’s school via the school or your local education office

If you are concerned about your child’s progress, you should speak to their teacher. The school will have a published policy on identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs which you can ask to see. You can get more information from our leaflets about special educational needs, details of which are available from your school. You can also get information via our website www.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/specialneeds/sen-home.htm or from the SEN Service Tel: 01962 846252 or email enquiries.sen@hants.gov.uk.

SEN Service

For further information please contact the numbers below:

Basingstoke Tel: 01962 846435

Aldershot, Cove, Farnborough, Fleet, Frogmore, Odiham, Yateley Tel: 01962 846448

Alton, Andover, Bordon, Overton, Whitchurch Tel: 01962 846192

Fareham, Gosport, Portchester, Stubbington, Titchfield Tel: 01962 845315

Clanfield, Cowplain, Emsworth, Havant, Hayling Island, Horndean, Petersfield, Waterlooville Tel: 01962 846248

Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham, Eastleigh, Hedge End, Swanmore, Winchester Tel: 01962 847490

Chandler’s Ford, Fordingbridge, Lymington, Lyndhurst, Ringwood, Romsey, Totton Tel: 01962 846247