Our SEND story

SEND Code of Practice

This is a statutory code containing details of legal requirements that you must follow without exception and statutory guidance that you must follow by law unless there’s a good reason not to.

It explains the duties of local authorities, health bodies, schools and colleges to provide for those with special educational needs under part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

The code, which applies to England, is for:

headteachers and principals
governing bodies
school and college staff
special educational needs (SEN) co-ordinators
early years providers
other education settings
local authorities
health and social services staff
Code of Practice

Guide to the SEND Code of Practice: for parents

The Department for Education has developed a guide for parents which explains the SEN and disability (SEND) Code of Practice.

This guide is a short, more accessible way to understand Part 3 of the Children & Families Act and the other documents that make up the SEND system.

As well as giving readers guidance as to how to delve deeper into the Code of Practice, this guide is also a great place to start for parents or the wider public who are looking for an overview of the new system.

DfE Guide for parents