Special educational needs and disabilities

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) find it harder to learn or access education than most children of the same age. These children may need extra or different help from that given to other children of the same age.

Information for parents, carers, young people and professionals about support and services for children and young people from 0-25 with SEND is available on the Portsmouth Local Offer website.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) may need extra help because of:

• difficulties thinking and understanding
• physical or sensory difficulties
• emotional and behavioural difficulties
• difficulties with speech and language
• difficulties with mental health
• how they relate to and behave with other people

Many children have special educational needs of some kind at some time during their education. Schools and other organisations can help most children overcome their difficulties quickly and easily.

A few children will need extra help for some or all of their time in school.

Special educational needs could mean that a child has difficulties with:

• all of the work in school
• reading, writing, number work or understanding information
• expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
• making friends or relating to adults
• understanding and following school rules
• organising themselves
• some kind of sensory or physical needs which may affect them in school

We provide support for both children with special educational needs and their parents. For more information, contact us using the details at the end of this page.

Find all local services and support on offer for children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND at Portsmouth Local Offer. It has events, education, health and social care and support groups you can join. There’s a section for:

• children and young people with SEND,
• their parents and carers
• professionals who work with children and young people with SEND

Portsmouth uses the Neurodiversity (ND) Profiling Tool to help identify the strengths and support needs of children and young people with SEND.

Find out more about how this tool works at the Neurodiversity (ND) Profiling Tool.

For more information, email sen.education@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or write to special educational needs, Portsmouth City Council Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2EA.