School Action, School Action Plus and Statementing

These may be regarded as three rungs on the ladder of SEN; every child with hemiplegia should be on one of these. They are fully described in the Code of Practice (DfES 0581/2001) You may also find useful the publication “Inclusive Schooling; children with special educational needs (DfES 0774/2001) The DfES has now changed its name to the DCSF, Department for Children, Schools and Families. Both may be ordered, free of charge, on 0845 6022260. They can also be downloaded from http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk.

Central to the premise of all three is that the child with SEN requires something different from and additional to, that which is provided for the child without SEN. A child has a learning difficulty under the 1996 Act if he “has a disability which either prevents or hinders him from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of his age in schools within the area of the local education authority” This would embrace most, if not all, children with hemiplegia.