About this guidance
The special educational needs code of practice became effective from 1 January 2002. From then, local authorities, schools, early education settings and those who help them – including health and social services – have been obliged to have regard to it.
Expiry/review date
Under review.
What legislation does this guidance relate to?
- the Education Act 1996 (as amended by SENDA 2001) Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001;
- the Education (Special Educational Needs) (England) (Consolidation) Regulations 2001;
- the Education (Special Educational Needs) (Provision of Information by local authorities) (England) Regulations 2001; and
- the Education (Special Educational Needs) (Information) (England) Regulations 1999.
Who is this guidance for?
Local authorities, headteachers and governors of schools, early education practitioners and other interested parties.
This guidance applies to;
- academies;
- Free Schools (including University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools);
- maintained schools;
- pupil referral units;
- all interested parties; and
- non-maintained special schools.
Key points
- the code is designed to help these bodies to make effective decisions regarding children with special educational needs. It does not (and could not) tell them what to do in each individual case;
- this document should help schools and local authorities to obtain the best value from the considerable resources and expertise they invest in helping children with special educational needs; and
- areas covered include the definition of special educational needs, parental responsibility and working partnership with parents. The code also looks at: involving pupils in assessment and decision-making; provision in the Early Years; primary and secondary education; statutory assessment of children under compulsory school age; and the role of the special educational needs coordinator. Many other topics are also included.
