Contact offers a range of pages that cover education & learning with Special educational needs (SEN). They set things out clearly. Click icon to browse.
Early Years
Lincolnshire Council sets out general information under the heading Early years education. Click icon to browse. Also:
- At ages 3-4 ALL children qualify for 15 hours a week free education. Some may also qualify for free places aged 2.
See: In brief Lincolnshire - If your you have concerns about your child’s development and he/she is attending nursery then that would be the obvious place to start.
- ESCO could be another option. Click button to find out about it.
Early support (ESCO)
Children’s centres
It could also be well worth a try making enquiries at the Sure start children’s centres nearest to you. Click icon for Grantham centres or Wider area to find it.
They do not always seem to advertise all their services on-line and selected centres have quite a bit to offer pre-school children with additional needs, so it might be worth making a phone call.
Mainstream school
With mainstream schools, smaller ones may provide a more calm and adaptable environment for pupils with additional needs.
The National Autistic Society has several pages about Education. Click icon for our highlights about mainstream school, including guidance on coping with school and considering alternatives.
If your you have concerns about your child’s development then the SENCo at your child’s school would be an obvious place to start.
Getting support at school
Contact also has a page about extra support in school. Click icon to view.
The Good schools guide also sets out what support should be made available for children with special needs but no EHC plan. See their SEN support page.
Diagnosis & school
Getting what your child needs may put parents up against difficulties and obstacles. Professionals may try to fob you off to begin with suggesting that things might sort themselves out – perhaps partly because they do not see your child at home. Click icon for some tips and weblinks about diagnosis and school. In brief:
- Your child’s GP (family doctor) can to be consulted for a referral. And if you think things are dragging on too long for your child’s well-being then the GP might think it appropriate to try to speed things up.
- The SENCo at your child’s school could alternatively make a referral for an autism assessment.
Educational issues
This page rounds off the basic education topic, with school transport being the most significant item. Click icon to view. The pages below offer more in-depth related topics.
Special educational needs
Mobile guide