Primary education information for parents Special educational needs

Published: 2 September 2024

The majority of children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) or disabilities will have their needs met by local mainstream early years providers, schools or colleges. Some children and young people, however, may require an EHC needs assessment in order for the local authority (LA) to decide whether it is necessary for it to make provision in accordance with an EHC plan.

The School Admissions Code of Practice requires children and young people with SEND to be treated fairly. Admissions authorities:

  • must consider applications from parents of children who have SEND but do not have an EHC plan on the basis of the school’s published admissions criteria as part of normal admissions procedures
  • must not refuse to admit a child who has SEND but does not have an EHC plan because they do not feel able to cater for those needs
  • must not refuse to admit a child on the grounds that they do not have an EHC plan

Details of the provision available in each school can be found in their school’s information report. Links to local early years providers, schools and colleges can be accessed via the SENDLO Wirral website.

Children and young people with SEND have different needs and can be educated effectively in a range of mainstream or special settings. Alongside the general presumption of mainstream education, parents of children with an EHC plan and young people with such a plan have the right to seek a place at a special school, special post-16 institution or specialist college.

If you think that your child may have special educational needs, you can speak to your child’s early years provider, school or college. There is usually a teacher responsible for coordinating SEND provision (the SEND Co-ordinator or SENCO). Further details about EHC plans can be found on the SENDLO Wirral website.

In a small number of cases, we will agree to a child who has an EHC Plan receiving home tuition. This is normally following a medical recommendation. This service is only considered as a final option and only if a child cannot physically get to school. We believe that, wherever possible, a child should be educated in a school environment.