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Code of practice
The SEN (Special Education Needs) Code of Practice provides practical advice to Local Education Authorities, maintained schools, early education settings and others on carrying out their statutory duties to identify, assess and make provision for children’s special educational needs.
The Education Act 1993 placed a duty on the government to issue a code of practice and to revise it from time to time. The first Code of Practice came into effect in 1994. Since then, the rights and duties contained in the 1993 Act have been consolidated into Part IV of the 1996 Education Act.
This Present Code of Practice in England came into force in January 2002. It includes new rights and duties introduced by the SEN and Disability Act 2001 and Regulations.
The code describes how help for children with SEN in schools and early education settings should be made by a step-by-step or 'graduated approach'.
You can get free copies of the SEN Code of Practice from the Department for Education and Skills or from Department for Education and Skills Publications Centre on 0845 602 2260.
Code of practice in Scotland
In Scotland, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act for Scotland 2004 came into affect in 2005 includes some key changes for the way in which provision is made for students with Additional needs. As part of this the definition of those students requiring support has been widened and some key on how provision for students with additional support needs in schools will be met.Further information can be found at:
A useful Summary Handout can be found at: