What is SEND?

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Some children may need additional support at school due to learning difficulties, disabilities, or health issues that affect their learning and development. The SEND system helps schools and families work together to ensure every child gets the support they need.

What is the SEND Wave System?

The SEND Wave System is a framework that schools use to organise and provide support for children with SEND. It consists of three different "waves" or levels of support. These waves ensure that support is tailored to each child's individual needs.

Wave 1: Quality First Teaching

This is the foundation for all students, including those with SEND.

What it means: All students, including those with SEND, should receive high-quality, differentiated teaching that meets their needs in the classroom.
How it helps: Teachers adapt lessons so that children with different learning styles, strengths, and challenges can all access the curriculum. For example, using visuals, providing extra explanations, or adjusting the pace of lessons.
Who it’s for: All students, including those who may need slight adaptations in the way lessons are taught, but who can still learn in the regular classroom environment.

Wave 2: Targeted Support

For students who need more support than what Wave 1 provides.

What it means: Children who struggle with learning in Wave 1 will get additional, small group interventions. These are designed to help them catch up or improve in specific areas.
How it helps: This might include extra lessons on reading, maths, or language skills. It could also include specialized programs or support from teaching assistants.
Who it’s for: Students who are struggling despite receiving quality first teaching. This support usually happens outside the normal class lessons and is short-term.

Wave 3: Specialist Support

This is the highest level of support for children with more significant or complex needs.

What it means: This level offers intensive, individual support tailored to a child’s specific needs.
How it helps: It may involve working with specialists such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, or educational psychologists. In some cases, the child may have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) that outlines the exact support they need.
Who it’s for: Children with significant learning difficulties or disabilities that require individualized, specialized help.

How Does the School Decide Which Wave My Child Needs?

The school follows a graduated approach to determine what level of support your child needs:

Assess: The school evaluates your child’s needs through observations, teacher feedback, and possibly specialist assessments.
Plan: Once the needs are understood, the school creates a plan for the appropriate wave of support.
Do: The support is put into action, and your child starts receiving it.
Review: The school regularly reviews your child’s progress to see if the support is working or needs adjusting.

If your child’s needs change, they may move between waves as required.

What is an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP)?

An EHCP is a legal document for children who have more complex needs that can’t be fully met through regular classroom support. It outlines the child’s needs, the support they should receive, and the outcomes they are working towards. It involves input from parents, teachers, and specialists.

How Can I Support My Child in the SEND Process?

Stay informed: Ask the school for regular updates on your child’s progress.
Communicate: Work closely with the teachers and support staff. Share any concerns or suggestions you have about your child’s needs.
Get involved: Attend review meetings and provide input. You know your child best, and your perspective is valuable.
Ask questions: If you don’t understand something about your child’s support plan, ask for clarification.

Key Points to Remember

Every child with SEND is unique and may need different levels of support.
The SEND Wave System is designed to provide the right help at the right time.
The goal is to help your child succeed in school by giving them the support they need to overcome any challenges they face.