For under-fives, see early years support. For university, see Disabled Students' Allowance.
Quick facts
- Schools
- Must not discriminate; must have an accessibility plan
- Statement of SEN
- Sets out the help your child gets
- College
- Technical and personal support
- Exams
- Qualification bodies must not discriminate
Statements of special educational needs
A Statement of SEN is a document that sets out the child's needs and the special help that will be given to help meet those needs. Every child must have a medical examination as part of their assessment.
Schools
Schools and the Education Authority must not discriminate against pupils with special educational needs due to their disability. Every school must have a school accessibility plan, which shows how they plan to improve accessibility for special educational needs pupils, and when. The plan must be published and you can ask to see it.
Further education college
Colleges can use a fund to give disabled students technical and personal support, removing barriers to study. Some courses, called discrete provision, are designed around students' individual needs in a more supported setting.
Exams and qualifications
It is unlawful for general qualification bodies to discriminate against disabled people around the award of prescribed qualifications.
Common questions
Does my child's school have to make itself accessible?
Every school must have a published accessibility plan, and must not discriminate against pupils with special educational needs because of disability.