Click on the links below to read definitions of words and terms
commonly used throughout the Ealing HELP site.
General Terms
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ASD
Autistic Spectrum Disorder, difficulties with social communication, making friends or relating to adults BESD
Behavioural, Emotional & Social Difficulty Carer
For the purpose of the Code of Practice (CoP) a carer is a person named by a local authority to care for a child for whom the social services department has parental responsibility. Child Development Team
(CDT)
A team consisting of various professionals to whom your child may be referred for assessment and therapies. HI
Hearing Impairment Luke
Luke is Nick and Anne's son who at the time of writing is twelve years old and has just started at secondary school. He loves music and spends a lot of time downloading lyrics from the web and working out the melody. He also enjoys dancing, reading, writing (this is difficult for him), watching films and playing. He has Down's Syndrome which gets in the way at times and at other times, well....
Luke has two brothers and two sisters. MLD
Moderate Learning Difficulties. This includes children who have difficulty with some of the work in school, and with keeping up with other children their age. MSI
Multi-Sensory Impairment Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapists have a special understanding of the skills children need to play, learn and look after themselves e.g. feeding, drawing, writing etc. They can develop programmes to help children overcome their difficulties in these areas. They can also advise on specialist equipment such as chairs, wheelchairs and any adaptations you may need in your home. PD
Physical Disability Physiotherapy
The method of treatment which employs physical and natural measures, such as light, heat, water etc. Therapists are trained to assess motor abilities and to carry out treatment to promote better movement and bodily strength. They will also advise on aids and appliances.
PMLD
Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties Respite
The provision of services which provide breaks for parents of children with special needs. Care may be given in the child’s home, in the home of a respite foster family or in residential establishments. Respite care is provided by social services departments, voluntary organisations or by support groups run by parents.
SLCN
Speech, Language and Communication Needs. This includes children who have difficulty expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying SLD
Severe Learning Difficulties. This includes children who have difficulty developing basic skills. SpLD
Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) VI
Visual Impairment Voluntary Organisations
Usually charities, which provide help and advice that is often linked to particular needs
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Educational Terms
Annual Review
A yearly review of a statement of SEN. Code of Pracice
(CoP) A guide to LEAs and schools about the help which can be given to children with Special Educational Needs. LEAs and schools must have regard to the CoP when dealing with a child with Special Educational Needs. Connexions
A service to help all young people aged 13 to 19 prepare for the transition to adult life. Differentiated Learning
The class teacher creates learning opportunities that are slightly different from the National Curriculum Early education settings
All preschool education provision such as nursery classes and schools, day nurseries and play groups. Educational Psychologist (EP)
A psychologist employed by the Local Authority. He or she will play an important role in assessing your child’s educational needs and give advice to schools. Foundation Stage
This begins when children reach the age of 3 and continues until the end of the reception year. Inclusion
This is when children with SEN are included in mainstream schools. Individual Education Plan (IEP)
This is a plan for a child, examining what they can do now, what they need to do next and how this is going to be achieved. Learning Support Assistant (LSA)
An assistant providing in-school support for pupils with SEN and/or disabilities. An LSA will normally work with a particular pupil or pupils, providing close support to those teaching him or her. Local Authority (LA)
A local government body, responsible for providing education, carrying out statutory assessments and maintaining statements. Mainstream, or maintained school
An ordinary school, which is for all children, not just those with special educational needs (SEN). This will normally be a state school. Named Officer
The person at the Local Authority (LA) who deals with your child’s case. Note in Lieu
A document the Local Authority (LA) may produce, describing your child’s Special Educational Needs, explaining why a statement is not needed and setting out what should be provided for your child. Parent Partnership Service
A service provided by the LA, which encourages partnerships between parents, LEAs, schools, voluntary organisations and other agencies. School Action
At School Action, a child should be given support that is either extra to and/or different from that which the school gives through its usual differentiation. The school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) and the teacher(s) collect all the information about the child and ask parents for more information. Once it has been decided what help to offer a child, this should be recorded on an Individual Education Plan (IEP), which should be reviewed regularly. You should be involved at all stages. School Action Plus
If progress on School Action is inadequate, a child should move on to School Action Plus. At this stage the help will be more intensive and outside specialists will be involved, e.g. speech therapist, etc. They will give support, advice and help set new targets for your child’s individual education plan (IEP). SEN
Special Educational Needs SEN Code of Practice
(CoP) A guide for early education settings, state school and LEAs on the help they can give to children with SEN. SEN Coordinator (SENCo)
Every school has one of these. They are members of staff who are responsible for managing the Special Educational Needs of the school. SEN Tribunal (SENDIST)
An independent body that hears appeals against decisons made by LEAs on statutory assessments and statements. Special Educational Provision
The extra or different help given to children with Special Educational Needs. Special School
A school that is just for children with SEN. Statement of SEN
A document that sets out a child's needs and all the extra help they should get. Statutory Assessment
A very detailed examination of a child's Special Educational Needs, which may lead to a statement or a Note in Lieu. Transition Plan
A plan drawn up after the Year 9 Annual Review of a statement. It sets out the steps needed to move from school to adult life. Unit or Centre
An educational establishment attached to a state school, providing specialist support for Children with Special Educational Needs. Each unit or centre will usually focus on one or two particular areas of need such as language for example.
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