Children with CP have legal rights to reasonable adjustments at school and, where needed, an Education, Health and Care Plan (). This guide covers the sections that matter most for CP and where parents most often have to push.
| Topic | Explanation | Parent Direction | Source URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | School-based support for children with special educational needs. Should follow assess-plan-do-review. | Ask for written support plan, measurable targets, named support, therapy advice and review dates. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs |
| Reasonable adjustments | Schools must make adjustments so disabled pupils are not disadvantaged. | Examples: lift access, rest breaks, adapted PE, accessible toilet, extra time moving rooms, seating, laptop, scribe, reduced carrying. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs |
| Legal plan for children/young people up to 25 needing more support than Support can provide. | Request when needs are complex, multi-agency, high-cost, specialist or not being met through Support. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help | |
| needs assessment request | Parents, school, professionals or young person aged 16+ can request assessment. | Include diagnosis/working diagnosis, daily functional needs, therapy reports, school evidence and parent views. | https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ |
| Section B | Special educational needs in an . | Make sure CP impact is described in detail: mobility, fatigue, communication, learning, personal care, pain, independence. | https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ |
| Section F | Special educational provision in an . | Provision should be specific and quantified: who, what, how often, duration, group/individual, training, equipment. | https://www.ipsea.org.uk/enforcing-your-ehc-plan-special-educational-provision-section-f |
| Section G | Health provision reasonably required by learning difficulties/disabilities. | Include therapy, nursing, feeding/swallowing, medication plans where relevant. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help |
| Section H | Social care provision. | Include short breaks, personal care, direct payments, care support, adaptations where assessed. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help |
| School transport | Children may qualify if disability means they cannot reasonably walk to school, even if distance rules are not met. | Apply through local authority. Use mobility, safety, fatigue, pain, seizures, wheelchair and supervision evidence. | https://www.gov.uk/apply-school-transport-for-child-with-special-educational-needs-sen |
| Accessibility plan | Schools should plan for disabled access and inclusion. | Ask how child will access classrooms, toilets, lunch hall, playground, trips, emergency evacuation and PE. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs |
| PE and school trips | Adaptations may be needed so children are included safely. | Ask for inclusive PE plan, alternative roles, rest, equipment, transport and risk assessment. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs |
| Exams | Children may need extra time, rest breaks, laptop, scribe, reader, separate room or practical assistance. | Ask school early; access arrangements need evidence and history of need. | https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs |
| Reduced timetable warning | Reduced timetables should not become a long-term answer to unmet needs. | Ask for reintegration plan, support plan and safeguarding of education entitlement. | https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ |
Sources: , NICE (NG62 & NG119), Scope, Contact, GOV.UK, , Citizens Advice. Always check linked organisations for the latest information.