The Four Areas of Need

What is SEND?

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. It means a child has a learning difficulty or disability that requires educational provision different from what is normally available to children of the same age. The goal of SEND support is to help every child achieve the best possible educational and personal outcomes.

The Four Areas of SEND

The SEND Code of Practice (2014) identifies four broad areas of need that guide how schools and local authorities provide support.

Area of Need	Associated Difficulties
Communication and Interaction	Expressing, understanding and connecting with others
Cognition and Learning	Processing, retaining and applying knowledge
Social, Emotional and Mental Health	Managing emotions, behavior and relationships
Sensory and Physical Needs	Access, Mobility and sensory processing

Communication and Interaction

Children in this area may have difficulty expressing themselves, understanding others, or navigating social situations. Support is tailored to their individual communication style.

Cognition and Learning

Children may struggle with specific subjects such as reading, writing, or maths, or find it harder to process and retain information compared to peers their age. Needs can range from moderate learning difficulties to severe or complex learning difficulties, including conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and global developmental delay.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Children in this area may find it challenging to manage their emotions, regulate their behaviour, or build and sustain positive relationships with peers and adults.

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Some children experience difficulties related to how they process sensory information or how they physically access their environment and learning materials.