SEND Frequently asked questions

If your child or young person having a difficult time at school, you may have questions about how to get the right support and help for them.  Here are some common questions and advice that can help you.

First thing to do is check the school’s SEND Information Report on their website. This report explains how the school helps students with extra needs.

If you are still concerned after reading the report, you can contact the school and ask to speak to the SENDCo to arrange a meeting to talk about your concerns.

If you still feel like nothing is being done after the meeting, you can get help and advice from SENDIASS, an independent service that supports parents.

First thing to do is check the school's safeguarding policies on their website.  This will explain how the school keeps all students safe.

You will also find contact information for the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), this is the person in charge of safeguarding.  If you have any concerns, you should get in touch with this person.

First thing to do is to contact the school and ask to speak to their class teacher or head of year.  You can talk about your worries and ask how they can help them feel better at school.

If you have already talked to your child or young person's school and feel they have not done anything to help, you can contact SENDIASS for independent advice and support.

If you are finding your child or young person's behaviour at home hard to manage, ask to meet with their school's  SENDCo or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as they can give you advice and support.

Schools can refer you to Early Help, an organisation that brings together services in Leicester City to offer extra help to families.  You can also make a self-referral for Early Help by contacting 0116 454 1004 or by visiting nearest children, young people, and family centre.

It is a good idea to talk to their school and ask for a meeting with the SENDCo to see if the school has any similar concerns.

If you want your child or young person to be checked for ADHD, you will need to make an appointment with their doctor (GP).  It will help if you ask the school for a letter about their concerns and take it with you to the appointment.  This will help the doctor understand your child or young person better.  After the appointment, the doctor can refer your child for more tests if needed.

It is a good idea to talk to their school and ask for a meeting with the SENDCo to see if the school has any similar concerns.

If you want your child or young person to be checked for Autism, you will need to make an appointment with their doctor (GP).  It will help if you ask the school for a letter about their concerns and take it with you to the appointment.  This will help the doctor understand your child or young person better.  After the appointment, the doctor can refer your child for more tests if needed.

If your child or young person has special educational needs (SEND) and they have been placed in a school by Leicester City Council they may qualify for free transport.  View the Home to School Transport criteria for more information. 

Not every child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) needs an EHCP.  Many children with SEND can do well in mainstream schools with some extra help. 

If you feel your child isn’t making progress despite the help from school and is falling behind their classmates, you can talk to the school’s SENDCo about requesting an EHCP assessment.  Both schools and parents/caregivers can make a request for an EHCP assessment.

SENDIASS can provide independent advice and guidance with the EHCP process.

If you have a question that has not been included in this section, please email your question to sends-service@leicester.gov.uk