How SEN is identified and assessed in education

There are 4 broad areas of need.

1. Communication and interaction
2. Cognition and learning
3. Social, emotional and mental health
4. Sensory and / or physical needs

It is not intended to fit the child / young person into a category, but to help those supporting the child to work out what action they need to take.

A child / young person may have needs across more than one of these areas, and their needs may change over time.

Communication and interaction

Those with communication and interaction needs may have difficulty in:

• Expressing themselves
• Understanding language
• Interacting with others effectively and / or appropriately

Cognition and learning

Those with cognitive and learning difficulties may:

• Learn at a slower pace
• Find it hard to understand parts of the curriculum
• Have difficulties in organising themselves
• Have a specific difficulty with part or parts of their learning, such as reading

Social, emotional and mental health

Those with social, emotional and mental health needs may:

• Find it difficult to maintain and manage relationships
• Display challenging behaviour
• Be withdrawn and / or isolated

Sensory and / or physical needs

This includes:

• Visual or hearing impairments, or
• A physical need that means they need extra ongoing support and equipment