SEND Information
Information and trusted support for families of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
You do not have to navigate SEND alone
You can ask questions and seek support even if your child does not have a diagnosis or an Education, Health and Care Plan. Start with the difficulty your child is experiencing and the help they need to participate, learn and feel safe.
Where should I start?
Three useful first steps if you are worried about your child’s development, learning or experience in education.
Write down your concerns
Note what is happening, how often, what makes things easier or harder, and what your child says or shows you about their experience.
Talk to the setting
Speak to the childminder, nursery, teacher, college tutor or SENCO. Ask what they have noticed, what support is in place and when it will be reviewed.
Ask for impartial advice
Wakefield SENDIASS can explain rights, meetings, SEN support and EHCP processes confidentially and without taking sides.
Wakefield’s Local Offer
The main directory for SEND information and services across Wakefield district.
One place to search for SEND support
The Wakefield SEND Local Offer is for children and young people aged 0–25 with additional needs, their families and the professionals supporting them.
Open Wakefield’s Local Offer ⟶- Education and SEN support
- Health and care services
- EHCP guidance
- Short breaks and childcare
- Support groups
- Inclusive things to do
Education
Find information about SEND support in early years, schools, colleges and preparation for adulthood.
Education information ⟶SEND services
Search organisations and teams supporting children, young people and families throughout the district.
Search services ⟶Education & EHCP Information
Understanding SEN Support, EHC needs assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans.
SEN Support
Schools must identify and support pupils with SEND, including children who do not have an EHCP. Ask the SENCO what needs have been identified, what provision is being made and how progress will be reviewed.
- Agree clear outcomes
- Record strategies and adjustments
- Set a review date
- Include the child or young person’s views
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal plan for a child or young person who needs more support than is ordinarily available through SEN Support. It describes needs, desired outcomes and the provision required.
A parent or carer can request an EHC needs assessment. A young person aged 16–25 can also make their own request.
The Wakefield EHCP route
Talk to the setting or SENCO about needs, current SEN Support and evidence of what has been tried.
A setting will usually submit a My Support Plan. Parents, carers and young people can also make a written request directly.
If agreed, the local authority gathers education, health and care advice along with family and young-person views.
The authority decides whether an EHCP is necessary. Families can comment on a draft and may challenge certain decisions.
Important timescales: if the authority assesses but decides not to issue a plan, it should notify the parent or young person within 16 weeks of the request. If a plan is issued, the final plan should normally be completed within 20 weeks, subject to limited exceptions. Families have at least 15 days to comment on a draft.
EHCP information
Read Wakefield’s guidance on SEN Support, assessments, plans, reviews and preparing for adulthood.
EHCP guidance ⟶Request an assessment
See what to include and how parents, young people and education settings can submit a request.
Request information ⟶Disagreements and appeals
Find routes for resolving disagreements, mediation and challenging certain local-authority decisions.
Appeals guidance ⟶Wakefield SENART
Special Educational Needs Assessment and Review Team
Telephone: 01924 302465
Email: senart@wakefield.gov.uk
Assessment requests
Parents, carers and young people can make a written request for an EHC needs assessment.
Support Groups & Inclusive Activities
Meet other families, find impartial support and discover accessible things to do.
Wakefield SENDIASS
Free, impartial and confidential information and advice for families and young people aged 0–25 living in Wakefield district.
Visit SENDIASS ⟶Parent Carer Forum
An independent, parent-led forum offering peer support and representing the experiences of Wakefield SEND families.
Find the forum ⟶Wakefield Family Hubs
Local advice and whole-family support from pregnancy to age 18, or up to age 24 where there is a SEND need.
Find a Family Hub ⟶Inclusive activities
Search the Local Offer for clubs, sensory sessions, accessible sport, holiday activities and places to visit.
Search the Local Offer ⟶Museums and castles
Read about SEND support and resources available when visiting Wakefield Museums and Castles.
Visitor SEND support ⟶Short breaks
Explore universal and targeted short breaks, childcare and playschemes for children and young people with SEND.
Short-break information ⟶Advice for Parents & Carers
Ways to prepare for conversations and keep the focus on the child or young person’s needs.
Keep one record
Save meeting notes, emails, reports, plans and examples of support in one folder. Add dates and write down agreed actions.
Ask specific questions
What need has been identified? What support is being provided? Who is responsible? How often will it happen? When will it be reviewed?
Include their voice
Record what the child or young person enjoys, finds difficult, wants to change and hopes to achieve—even if they communicate without speech.
Describe the impact
Use real examples of how needs affect learning, attendance, communication, friendships, independence, wellbeing or family life.
Agree the next review
Before a meeting ends, confirm the actions, who will complete them and the date when progress and support will be reviewed.
Take support with you
Ask whether a trusted person can attend meetings. SENDIASS can help you understand the process and prepare questions.
When you disagree
Start by asking the education setting or local authority to explain the decision and what evidence was considered. SENDIASS can provide impartial information about next steps. Wakefield’s Local Offer also explains disagreement resolution, mediation and SEND Tribunal appeal rights.
Would it help to talk to someone?
Wakefield SENDIASS supports parents, carers, children and young people, including those who may have SEND but do not yet have a diagnosis or plan.
This page is a starting point and does not replace individual legal, educational, health or social-care advice. Services and contact details can change, so check the linked organisation before relying on them.