How does a school identify a child with SEN?

[OliviaMansfield]

What is classed as an SEN and how do schools identify if a child has one? I believe there is an onus on schools to identify issues and support children, but if a child has no formal diagnosis how does this work? Is it a case of they think a child may have SEN due to x behaviour/issues? Are certain difficulties automatically classed as an SEN? Is any child who requires additional support classed as having SEN? I'm thoroughly confused by it all.

Diagnosis is not relevant to schools in terms of who they put on the SEN register.

The SEN register is for pupils who receive help above that which all students receive.

Many pupils with diagnosis do not require this help, and many without do.

Most schools run a separate list as well which incorporates both.

The SENCOP puts the requirement on class teachers in the first instance to recognise needs. This makes sense, as they should be tracking and assessing to improve their students' outcomes anyway.

However, their is no legal requirement on schools to diagnose learning difficulties, only to make reasonable adjustments and meet needs within their setting. So where a student is struggling with literacy, there is no requirement for them to assess for dyslexia, only for them to support and adjust to the student's need for literacy support.

Thank you that helps alot. So any child who receives help that others generally don't should be on the SEN register? So if a child were in an intervention group for reading/social skills/anxiety/maths etc would this mean they should also be on the SEN register?

Do you know if there any legislation etc that covers this specific thing?

In theory yes. However, if it is a nurture group (for example) I do not know if that would normally appear on the SEN register or not. There are different groups for different purposes, and some things may be considered SEN and others perhaps EBD/SEMH which do not necessarily have an impact on educational outcomes.

The SEND Act 2014 details which students are registered, the roles and responsibility of the head teacher/senco in registering those they consider to have a special educational need.The regulations for this act can be found here: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1530/pdfs/uksi_20141530_en.pdf

I hope that helps!

Olivia- why do you want to know if they are on Sen register? If they are already receiving intervention through groups etc what difference does it make