Where to start with SEND
Download your free guide to getting started with SEND
When you first have concerns about your child or young person, it can be difficult to know what to do, who to speak to or where to find trustworthy information.
Our free Where to Start guide has been created by the chair of the Lancashire Round Table, Lucy Ellis, especially for our parent carers to help them navigate the complex world of SEND. It brings useful information, practical prompts and Lancashire services together in one place, helping you take things one step at a time.
You don’t need to have all the answers.
You may have noticed differences in your child’s communication, learning, behaviour, friendships, sensory needs or emotional wellbeing. Perhaps nursery or school has raised a concern, or you simply feel that your child may need some additional support.
You do not need a diagnosis to start asking questions or requesting support and you don’t need to navigate everything alone.
What's included in the guide?
The guide can help you:
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Gather and record your questions and observations
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Recognise your child’s strengths as well as their challenges
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Prepare for conversations with nursery, school or health professionals
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Understand SEN Support and Assess, Plan, Do, Review
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Learn about Ordinarily Available Provision and EHC Needs Assessments
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Make sense of common SEND language and abbreviations
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Find local services, useful contacts and trusted sources of information
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Connect with other parent carers and build your support network
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Explore financial support and practical accessibility resources
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Find support for your own wellbeing
It also includes useful phone numbers and links to services including Family Hubs, SENDIAS, Neu Way Support, health visiting and school nursing teams, the Lancashire SEND Local Offer and mental health support.
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Who is it for?
This guide is for Lancashire families who:
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Have questions about their child’s development or wellbeing
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Are at the beginning of their SEND journey
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Are waiting for an assessment or diagnosis
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Want to understand what support may be available
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Need help preparing for a meeting or appointment
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Feel overwhelmed by services, processes or SEND terminology
You do not need a confirmed diagnosis to use the guide or begin seeking support.
Start with one small step
You don’t need to read, understand or act on everything at once.
Start by thinking about what you have noticed, make a few brief notes and consider who could help you take the next step. Your child’s nursery, school, SENDCo, health visitor, school nurse or GP may be a helpful place to begin.
Short, real-life examples can often be more useful than long descriptions. Try noting:
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What happened
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When and where it happened
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How long it lasted
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What may have triggered it
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What helped
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The strengths your child showed
Most importantly, trust your instincts. You know your child best, and asking for help is a positive step.
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