Parents Guidance to Special Educational Needs

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Children under 5

Information for parents regarding Special Educational Needs

What can I do if I think my child has a learning difficulty before starting school?
What help can my child get before starting school?

What can I do if I think my child has a learning difficulty before starting school?

If your child is not yet at school, speak to your doctor, health visitor, social worker or anyone else you think may be able to help. Do not delay. Your child's early years are very important. Asking a professional is the first step to getting specialist advice. Whoever you speak to will be able to put you in touch with your local education authority.

If your child is under five and a health worker thinks that he or she may have special educational needs, they must consult you. The health service must then tell the Local Education Authority and give you information about any voluntary organisation that may be able to advise you.

What help can my child get before starting school?

Even if your child is not yet at school, your LEA will be happy to discuss his or her needs with you and look at what help he or she needs.

There are many services that may be able to help you, for example:

teachers who will visit your home if your child has hearing or sight problems, or learning difficulties;
home based learning schemes - for example Portage Schemes - in which a trained home visitor helps you by suggesting activities that will encourage your child to develop new skills; and
playgroups and opportunity groups that can help your child develop socially and through play.

You may find it helpful to talk to other parents or to a voluntary organisation. There are many voluntary organisations and parents' groups all over the country.

Your LEA may be able to help your child from a very early age. Even if your child is under two, you can ask your LEA to assess his or her needs.

If your child is over two and you think that he or she has learning difficulties, you can ask your LEA to make a statutory assessment, unless they decide it is unnecessary. Following a statutory assessment, the LEA will decide whether it is necessary to make a statement of your child's special educational needs.

Carol was premature and very underweight at birth. She was found to have cerebral palsy. It was soon clear that she was quite seriously handicapped. She had a three month review at the Child Development Centre when it was decided to inform the LEA and, with the parents' agreement, to arrange a visit from the home teaching service. The home visitor came weekly and set small tasks for Carol which her parents carried out with her. During the first year the home visitor sought the advice for both the physiotherapist and speech therapist who were already working with Carol. Their advice was invaluable and was included in the home teaching programme. At the age of two, Carol was assessed by the LEA. All the professionals who has been working with her were asked to give their advice. Because of their work with Carol, her parents were also able to help with the assessment procedure. Carol was given a statement of special educational needs which named a local special school. The home teaching stopped just before Carol's third birthday when she started school, where the programme continued. The same physiotherapist and speech therapist now see Carol at school. Her parents are still involved and are carrying on the work at home.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Special Educational Needs Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 3750
0161 342 3714

Page last updated: 26 September 2006