SEND Jargon Buster
Academy: A state-funded school in England that is independent of local authority control, funded directly by the central government.
ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder.
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
ADHD-PI: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Predominantly Inattentive (also known as ADHD-I).
ARO: Assessment and Review Officer – works for the Local Authority to support the process and write EHCPs.
ASC / ASD: Autistic Spectrum Condition / Disorder.
CAF: Common Assessment Framework (an older method of assessment; many areas have moved to "Early Help" assessments).
CAFA: The Children and Families Act 2014.
CAMHS: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
CDC (1): Child Development Centre.
CDC (2): Developmental Coordination Disorder (also known as Dyspraxia).
CHC: Continuing Health Care.
C&I: Communication and Interaction.
C&L: Cognition and Learning.
Code / CoP: The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2015).
CP: Clinical Psychologist.
CSDPA: The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.
DCS: Disabled Children’s Services.
DfE: Department for Education.
DLA: Disability Living Allowance (non-means-tested, tax-free benefit for disabled children under 16).
DMO: Designated Medical Officer.
EA 1996: Education Act 1996.
EHC Needs Assessment: The assessment of a child’s education, health, and care needs conducted by a local authority.
EHCAR: Education, Health, and Care Plan Assessment Request (the application form).
EHCP: Education, Health, and Care Plan (as defined in Section 37 of the Children and Families Act 2014).
EHRC: Equality and Human Rights Commission.
EMS: Enhanced Mainstream School (mainstream schools with additional specialist facilities).
EP: Educational Psychologist.
EQA: The Equality Act 2010.
EYFS: The Early Years Foundation Stage.
FSW / FOW: Family Support Worker / Family Outreach Worker.
HI: Hearing Impairment.
ICB: Integrated Care Board (the organisation replacing CCGs, responsible for planning and funding local NHS services).
ICD-11: International Classification of Diseases (the current global standard for diagnostic health information).
IEP: Individual Education Plan (Note: many schools now use different terminology like "My Support Plan" or "Provision Map").
LA: Local Authority.
LAC: Looked After Child (a child in the care of the local authority).
Local Offer: Information published by every local authority detailing the support available for children with SEND in their area.
Mediation: A formal, independent process for resolving disagreements between parents and the local authority.
MLD: Moderate Learning Difficulties.
MSI: Multi-sensory Impairment (visual and hearing difficulties).
OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
ODD: Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Ofsted: Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
OT: Occupational Therapy / Occupational Therapist.
PALS: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (confidential support for health-related complaints).
PARO: Principal Assessment & Review Officer.
PDA: Pathological Demand Avoidance (often described as a profile on the autism spectrum).
PIP: Personal Independence Payment (benefit for disabled people aged 16+).
PMLD: Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
Portage: Home-based educational support for pre-school children with SEND.
PRU: Pupil Referral Unit (for children who need education outside of a mainstream school).
SEMH: Social, Emotional and Mental Health.
SEN: Special Educational Needs.
SENCo: Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.
SEND: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
SENDIASS: Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service.
SLD: Severe Learning Disability.
SpLD: Specific Learning Difficulty (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia).
SLT / SALT: Speech and Language Therapy.
SMART: Targets that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timed.
Written by John Hugill
January 2020