Top 10 SEND Register Advantages and Drawbacks

If you’re a parent or caregiver of a child who struggles in school, you’ve probably come across the term SEND register. But what exactly does it mean? Is there a difference between SEND and SEN, and how does being on the SEN register affect your child’s education? 

In this blog post, our team at SEN Tutors will walk you through everything you need to know about the SEND register, the advantages and drawbacks, and how to determine if it’s the right step for your child. We’ll also explore common questions like what is a SEN register and what does SEN mean in education.

What Is SEND? Is It the Same as SEN?

To understand the SEND register, it’s important to break down what SEND and SEN mean.

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. It’s a term used in the UK to describe children who need extra support because they face learning difficulties or disabilities.

These could range from cognitive issues like dyslexia, physical disabilities like cerebral palsy, or behavioural conditions like ADHD. The key factor is that these needs significantly affect a child’s ability to learn or function in a regular classroom setting.

SEN, on the other hand, stands for Special Educational Needs. While it overlaps with SEND, SEN focuses more narrowly on educational needs rather than disabilities. In practice, SEND learners often have both special educational needs and disabilities, but some students may have SEN without having a recognised disability.

What Is the SEND Register?

The SEND register is a list maintained by schools that tracks students who have been identified as needing additional support due to special educational needs or disabilities. It helps schools ensure that SEND learners receive the right interventions, whether through extra tutoring, special resources, or individualised learning plans.

The SEN register or special educational needs register is similar but may include children who don’t necessarily have a disability but still need extra help with learning. Essentially, the SEND register is a broader term that covers both SEN and disabilities, whereas the SEN register is more specific to educational challenges.

How Do You Qualify for the SEND Register?

You may be wondering, what is the SEN register and how does a child qualify for it? In the UK, a child is placed on the SEND register or SEN register when they are identified as needing additional help beyond what’s typically offered in a regular classroom. This could be due to learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or behavioural and emotional challenges.

Steps to Qualify for the SEND Register:

1. Initial Observations: Teachers or parents may notice that a child is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally.
2. Assessment: The school will carry out an assessment, often working with a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) to determine if the child has special educational needs or disabilities.
3. SEN Support Plan: If a child qualifies, the school will create a tailored SEN support plan outlining the specific help they will receive (often including our SEN tutoring services).
4. Parental Involvement: SEND and SEN parents are involved in discussions about their child’s needs and must give consent for their child to be added to the SEND register.
5. Formal Documentation: In some cases, a child might need an educational statement of needs, often called a statement of special educational needs or SEN statement, to legally guarantee that they will receive the necessary interventions.

Top 5 Advantages of the SEND Register

Once your child is on the SEND register, they become eligible for specialised support tailored to their unique needs. Below are the top five advantages.

1. Tailored Support for SEND Learners

Being on the SEND register ensures that SEND learners get access to tailored support in school. This could include one-on-one tutoring, extra time on tests, or specialised resources like visual aids. Every child is unique, and the SEN register helps educators customise learning strategies based on a child’s specific challenges.

2. Access to Additional Resources

One of the great benefits of being on the SEND register is that students gain access to additional resources. These could include assistive technologies, educational materials, or even specialised teaching methods that cater to your child’s learning style. This can make a significant difference in helping them overcome academic hurdles.

3. Regular Monitoring and Adjustments

Children on the SEN register are regularly monitored to ensure that the support they receive is working. Schools are required to review your child’s progress frequently and adjust the interventions if necessary. This ensures that your child is not left behind as their needs evolve.

4. Collaboration Between Parents, Teachers, and Specialists

The SEND register facilitates collaboration between parents, teachers, and any specialists involved in the child’s education, such as speech therapists or psychologists. This ensures that everyone is working towards the same goal: helping the child succeed.

5. Legal Protection Through an Educational Statement of Needs

For children with more complex needs, an educational statement of needs (or SEN statement) offers legal protection. This document guarantees that your child will receive the support they are entitled to under the law. It ensures that all necessary interventions are not just recommended but mandated.

Top 5 Drawbacks of the SEND Register

While there are many advantages to being on the SEND register, there are also some drawbacks that parents should be aware of.

1. Potential Stigma

One of the most commonly cited drawbacks is the potential stigma attached to being on the SEND register. Children may feel labelled, and in some cases, this can impact their self-esteem. It’s crucial for parents and educators to frame the SEN register as a positive tool for helping, rather than a label that defines the child.

2. Delays in Receiving Support

Despite the guarantees that come with being on the SEND register, there can sometimes be delays in receiving support. This is especially true if the school lacks sufficient resources or if there are long waiting times for assessments. This can be frustrating for both parents and children.

3. Not All Schools Have Adequate Resources

While schools in the UK are required to provide SEN support, the reality is that some schools simply don’t have the resources to fully meet the needs of every child on the SEND register. This can mean that your child doesn’t get as much support as they need, even if they qualify.

4. Bureaucratic Hurdles

The process of getting a child on the SEND register or obtaining a special educational needs statement can involve a lot of paperwork and meetings. For parents unfamiliar with the SEND UK system, this can be overwhelming.

5. Risk of Removal from the SEN Register

If a child makes significant progress, they may be removed from the SEND register. While this is often a good sign, some parents worry that their child’s progress may plateau without continued support. Once off the register, it can be challenging to get back on if the child begins to struggle again. 

At SEN Tutors, we provide continuous tutoring support to children who were removed from the SEN(D) register and returned to traditional school setting. 

FAQs About SEND Registration

To help clarify some of the common concerns, here are frequently asked questions about SEND registration and how it affects your child.

What Is the SEN Register Meaning in the UK?

The SEN register meaning UK refers to the list of children in a school who have been identified as having special educational needs or disabilities. Being on the special educational needs register ensures that these students receive the necessary interventions to support their learning.

Does My Child Need a Statement of Special Educational Needs to Be on the SEND Register?

No, your child can be added to the SEND register without having a formal statement of special educational needs. However, if your child has more complex needs, an educational statement of needs may be required for legal protection.

What Is SEN in Education?

SEN in education stands for special educational needs. It describes any child who requires extra support in school to succeed academically, socially, or emotionally.

What Is SEN Support in Schools?

SEN support in schools refers to the extra help provided to children on the SEND register. This could include tutoring, classroom modifications, or specialised teaching techniques tailored to the child’s needs.

What Is a SEN School?

A SEN school is a school specifically designed to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. These schools are equipped with the resources and staff needed to provide tailored education for SEND learners.

FAQs About SEN Tutors

How Do SEN Tutors Help Children on the SEND Register?

SEN Tutors specialises in providing personalised educational support for children on the SEND register. We create customised learning plans to help your child meet their full potential, whether they need help with core subjects or social and emotional skills.

Do You Offer Online and In-Person Sessions?

Yes, we offer both online and in-person tutoring options, allowing us to meet the specific needs of your family and schedule.

What Makes SEN Tutors Different?

We offer a personalised approach to learning, ensuring that each child on the SEND register receives the tailored support they need to succeed. Our tutors are highly experienced in working with children with a range of special educational needs, including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.

Is the SEND Register Right for Your Child?

The SEND register can be an important tool in ensuring your child receives the support they need in school. While there are clear advantages like tailored support and legal protections, it’s important to be aware of the potential drawbacks, such as stigma or delays in receiving help. 

At SEN Tutors, we’re here to guide you through the process and provide the personalised support your child needs to thrive. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child on their educational journey.