SEND Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terms you'll see in official letters.
- Advocate
- Someone who supports you and speaks up on your behalf in meetings or disputes with the school or local authority - this can be a paid professional or a trusted friend or family member.
- Annual review
- A meeting, at least once every 12 months, to check an EHCP is still meeting the child's needs.
- Draft plan
- The first version of an EHCP the local authority sends you to check and comment on, before it becomes final.
- Dysregulation
- When a child becomes overwhelmed and struggles to manage their emotions or behaviour, often in response to stress, sensory input, or change.
- Educational Psychologist
- A specialist who assesses how a child learns, thinks, and copes emotionally, and advises on the support they need. The local authority must get their advice as part of an EHC needs assessment.
- EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan)
- A legal document setting out what your child needs, the support they must get, and who provides it. The local authority must make sure the special educational support in the plan is provided. Health support in the plan is the NHS's responsibility.
- SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
- The teacher at your child's school responsible for arranging and overseeing SEND support. Usually your first point of contact there.
- Tribunal (First-tier Tribunal, SEND)
- An independent panel that can hear an appeal against some local authority decisions about EHC needs assessments and plans.