Types of SEND and how to support them

SEND comes in all shapes and sizes but can be grouped into four main categories. Learn about each of these categories and how you can support them with Tes.  

Group of children with SEND stood in front of a school building

Understanding SEND

SEND is short for ‘Special Educational Needs and Disabilities’ and is used by many educators to refer to special needs in education. If a child or young person has SEND, they may need more support than children of the same age to make the expected progress. 

Learn more about SEND in our detailed blog on the topic 

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Teacher with a group of students. One is in a wheelchair

What are the different types of SEND?

 

SEND in education refers to any child or young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This can be classified into four areas: 

  •  Cognition and learning - challenges that affect a child’s ability to understand and acquire knowledge 

  • Social, emotional and mental health - difficulties that a child may experience in managing their emotions, mental health and social interactions 

  • Communication and interaction - children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) 

  • Physical and sensory - impairments, sensory processing difficulties and physical difficulties 

Group of SEND students holding the SEND star icon

Explore our articles on the types of SEND

Learn more about the different types of SEND and how you can support students with additional needs. 

  • Child sat crossed legged on an armchair with a raincloud above

    Types of SEND: understanding social, emotional and mental health needs

    Read more Read more
  • Teacher talking to a student

    Understanding communication and interaction needs in children

    Read more Read more
  • Child sat at desk surrounded by words representing cognition and learning

    Understanding cognition and learning difficulties

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  • Child painting on an easel

    Types of SEND: physical and sensory needs

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  • teacher supporting a child sat at a desk. The sign for neurodiversity is above them

    Signs of a neurodivergent child & how to support them

    Read more Read more

SENCO Handbook

Juggling plans, paperwork and student needs? The SENCO Handbook shows how to bring everything together into one intuitive platform. From learning plans and funding evidence to communication and reviews.

Download the guide and discover how to reduce SENCO workload, secure additional funding, and simplify SEND support.

Download guide

people putting large puzzle pieces together

SEND articles from Tes Magazine

  • Child sat on library floor reading book

    SEND and inclusion: a recommended reading list

    Margaret Mulholland shares her recommended reads on equitable school leadership and how to further develop your inclusive practice

    Read more Read more
  • Sticky notes on a notebook with anxiety related words

    School anxiety ‘a big factor’ in ASN pupils’ absence

    Children with additional support needs who are not attending school often lack ‘appropriate support and positive relationships with trusted adults’, says report

    Read more Read more
  • Child doing arts and crafts with leaves

    DfE brings in new standards for non-school alternative provision

    Schools will be required to inform councils of placements of students at unregistered providers

    Read more Read more

Discover Tes Provision Map

Learn more about Tes’ SEND management and provision mapping software and how it helps SENCOs manage the different types of SEND in a simple and easy to use platform.  

Learn more

Provision map dashboard