Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR)
a four-step cycle used in schools to support children with additional needs through ongoing monitoring and adjustment.
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
a condition that impacts focus, self-control and activity levels, often leading to impulsive behaviours.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
a national agency that helps protect children from sexual abuse and online exploitation.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
NHS services that support children and young people with mental health difficulties.
Department for Education (DfE)
the UK government department responsible for education, children’s services and schools.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
the government department responsible for welfare, benefits and pensions.
Disabled Living Allowance (DLA)
a benefit for children under 16 who need extra help with personal care or mobility due to a disability.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
a grant to support students in higher education with additional costs related to a disability or learning difficulty.
Early Help Assessment (EHA)
a process used to identify the needs and challenges a child or young person may be experiencing across areas like health, education and family life, including physical, cognitive, behavioural, and social-emotional development.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
the national framework for learning, development and care for children from birth to age five.
Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
a statutory process that assesses a child’s or young person’s needs and considers what further provision may be appropriate to support them. The education assessment will cover all four areas of SEND.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
a legally binding document that outlines a child’s or young person’s SEND needs. It brings together support from education, health and social care services, detailing the personalised support required to help them succeed and prepare for adulthood, beyond what is typically provided in mainstream settings. The local authority and all services named in the plan are legally obligated to provide the support specified in the EHCP.
Education Other Than at School (EOTAS)
when education is arranged in a different way, for example through home tuition, online learning or specialist providers.
Every Child A Talker (ECAT)
a programme that supports young children’s language and communication development.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
a government-funded scheme providing food and activities for children during school holidays.
Integrated Care Board (ICB)
an NHS organisation that plans and funds local health services in an area.
Local Authority (LA)
your local organisation, responsible for arranging education, health and social care support for children and young people with SEND.
Local Offer (LO)
your local authority’s online guide showing what SEND services and support are available locally and how to access them.
Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGO or LGSCO)
an independent organisation that investigates complaints if the local authority hasn’t met its SEND duties properly.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
a legal document allowing someone to make decisions on behalf of another person if they lose mental capacity.
Mental Health Act (MHA)
the law in England and Wales that sets out when and how people can be detained and treated for mental health issues.
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
a team of professionals from different services who share information to protect children at risk.
National Portage Association (NPA)
an organisation that provides home-visiting educational support for pre-school children with additional needs.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
a package of care fully funded by the NHS for people with significant health needs.
NHS Right to Choose (RTC)
a policy that allows patients to choose which NHS provider delivers their care.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
a mental health condition involving unwanted, repetitive thoughts and behaviours.
Occupational Therapists (OT)
health professionals who help people develop or regain skills for daily living and independence.
Peer Early Education Partnership (PEEP)
a programme that supports parents and carers to enhance their children’s early learning.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
a benefit for people aged 16 and over who need extra help due to disability or health conditions.
Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB)
NHS funding that gives people more choice and control over the wheelchair they use.
Social Care Occupational Therapist (SCOT)
a professional who assesses and supports people’s needs in the home and community environment.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
a term for childrenand young people who require extra support due to learning difficulties or disabilities.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO)
the school staff member responsible for organising support for pupils with SEND.
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
a free, confidential service that gives families impartial advice and support on SEND issues, including rights and processes.
Speech and Language Therapists (SALT)
specialists who assess and support children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.
Universal Credit (UC)
a monthly benefit payment for people on a low incomeor out of work, which can include extra amounts to support children, including additional help for disabled children.