Home education for SEND children

For families with children who have Special Educational Needs (SEND), elective home education (EHE) can offer extra flexibility. They can create a learning environment that best supports their child's development. 

In this section we'll help families understand how EHE can work effectively for children and young people with SEND.

See Home education with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for the answer to these questions:

• Can I home educate if my child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?  
• Can I home educate if my child attends a specialist school?
• What is the difference between elective home education and an EOTAS package - Education other than at school?

SEND teams and supporting organisations

The following organisations may be able to provide useful information about matters relating to SEND. 

Please be aware that it's the responsibility of home educators to judge the quality and suitability of such information. The local authority carries no responsibility for this.

The SEND and Inclusion Team

This team's advisors can help with advice, guidance and support for children and young people, their families and professionals.

For contact details go to the SEND and inclusion support line.

Just One Norfolk (JON)

JON provides children and young people's health services. It offers advice, support and guidance for a wide range of issues. It also has self-referral services,  video call health drop ins, family networks and online training for parents and carers.

Go to the JON website for more information about additional needs and disabilities.

Find out more about JON's drop-in sessions.

Norfolk SENDIASS 

Offering free and impartial information, advice and support about SEND for children, young people, parents and carers. SENDIASS can support with Disagreement Resolution and SEND Mediation.

Visit the SENDIASS website.

SEND Local Offer 

The SEND Local Offer is for anyone in the life of a child or young person aged 0-25 who has a special educational need or disability in Norfolk.

EHCP Team

If your child has an existing Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or is having an assessment you can contact the team for support and advice. See their web pages at Education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice (IPSEA) 

Help for children and young people with SEND to get the education they're entitled to by law.

Access IPSEA's helplines and services.

SEND assessments 

For SEND assessments, a GP or school nurse will need to make a referral. Just One Norfolk can offer help and support.

KIDS 

KIDS services cover three main areas: 

• Information, advice and family support
• Play and social
• Learning and development

KIDS can support with Disagreement Resolution and SEND Mediation. Visit the KIDS website for more information.

SENsational Families 

This is a free service offered by Norfolk and Norwich Send Association (Nansa). It offers 1:1 family support with a Family Support Advisor, alongside support with behaviour, transitions, advocacy, parenting advice and EHCPs.

Find out more about SENsational Families at the Nansa website.

Family Action ASD and ADHD Support 

Improving outcomes for children and young people awaiting assessment for Autism/ADHD or recently diagnosed. They have sites in Gorleston and Swaffham. For more information visit the Norfolk and Waveney Autism/ADHD Support Service.

Living Well with Autism 

Living Well with Autism is an online resource that provides parents and caregivers with ideas, and free or inexpensive resources for living well with autism.

Carers Matter Norfolk 

Carers Matter Norfolk offers support, information and advice for those with caring responsibilities.

Young Carers Matter Norfolk 

Young Carers Matter Norfolk provides advice and support for young carers and families

Smile Coffee Mornings 

A morning dedicated for carers of SEND adults or children to help each other and listen at Earlham Library, Colman Road, Norwich. They are also for those who are lonely and need a listening ear.

They take place every Thursday morning during term time. Wheelchair accessible and free parking in the back of the library.

See the Smile Coffee Mornings Facebook page for more details.       

SEND Parent Cafés 

Norfolk libraries are teaming up with services in our community to support, children young people and their families to access support from services and other families.

They take place at various locations including Dereham, Acle, Aylsham, Taverham etc. Find out what's on in your local library.

Short Breaks 

Short Breaks give children and young people who meet the eligibility criteria the chance to take part in activities and explore new opportunities.

Short Breaks budgets are allocated purely depending on the needs of the child, with no consideration given to household income.

Ambitious about Autism 

Ambitious about Autism stands with autistic children and young people, championing their rights and creating opportunities.

Dyslexia

There are many screening tests and resources online. A screening test should provide ideas for how to support a child. A diagnostic assessment is the only way to formally diagnose dyslexia. The British Dyslexia Association can help with a private formal diagnosis ad offer free resources.

Autism Anglia

Autism Anglia is an independent charity that provides care and support to Autistic children and their families in East Anglia.

ASD Helping Hands

ASD Helping Hands offers guidance, practical advice, support and meet ups, whether you're personally affected or you're a family member, carer, friend or professional.

Nansa

Nansa is the Norfolk and Norwich SEND Association. Nansa aims to be a catalyst for real change, across the region, for those living with, or caring for others with, special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Society - Home Education Hub

The PDA Society's Home Education Hub is a resource consisting of helpful approaches and resources to support parents who are home educating PDA children and young people.

The West Norfolk Autism Group 

The West Norfolk Autism Group provides support and guidance to individuals of all ages whose lives are affected by autism.

Help You Choose

Help you Choose offer advice and guidance to young people and their families with specialist SEND advisors.

Norfolk Autism Partnership

The Norfolk Autism Partnership involve autistic people of all ages to improve services and support.  It provides:

• Paid and unpaid involvement opportunities
• A forum for discussion
• Autism news
• Autism information
• A what's on guide
• Autism training
• An autism directory that is in development