Inclusion & Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act was passed into law in July 2004. Special educational needs are defined in this act as:
… a restriction in the capacity of the person to participate in and benefit from education on account of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or learning disability, or any other condition which results in a person learning differently from a person without that condition.
The EPSEN Act recognises that special educational needs may arise from four different areas of disability:
- Physical
- Sensory
- Mental health
- Learning disability
Or, from any other condition that results in the child learning differently from a child without that condition. It is also important to understand that a child can have a disability but not have any special educational needs arising from that disability which require additional supports in school.
For information, including arrangements for handling further complaints from parents of pupils with SEND, please read our SEND Policy.
If you require a paper copy of any information shown on our website, please send us a request.
Annual SEND Report to Governors
The Local Offer
- Dorset’s Local Offer - SEND information for children, young people and families’.
- Dorset’s Family Information Directory - For parents to search for Dorset activities, family support needs and childcare for the whole family.
- Dorset SENDIASS - Special Educational Needs and/or Disability, Information, Advice and Support Service for parents/carers and children/young people aged 0-25 living in Dorset with SEND.
- Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC) - Please click the link for how to become a member of the Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC).
- Send Family Instincts - Family SEND support.