Adult Social Care (ASC) The services and support provided to adults who need assistance with various aspects of the daily life due to age, illness, disability, or other conditions.

Annual Review (AR) When a child has a Education, Health and Care Plan it must be reviewed by the local authority at least every 12 months to check that it continues to meet the chi;d's needs.

Alternative Provision (AP) Educational settings and services designed to meet the needs of children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream schools for various reasons, such as behavioural issues, medical conditions, special educational needs (SEN), or exclusions from school.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) A condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, distractibility and difficulty in focusing.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) A condition that affects the way the brain processes auditory information.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) A developmental disorder that affects how a person perceives and interacts with the world, it is characterized by a range of of symptoms and behaviours, which can vary widely in severity and impact.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disoorder (ADHD) A neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults, characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.

British Sign Language (BSL) BSL is the sign language used by the deaf conmmunity in the United KIngdom.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) Specialised Healthcare Services in the UK provide support and treatment for children and young people who are experiencing mental health issues and emotional difficulties.

Common Assessment Framework (CAF) A tool used in the UK to help professionals assess the needs of children and young people who need extra support.

Child Development Centre (CDC) The Child Development Service is an assessment service in Shrewsbury. The team are equipped to make a differential diagnosis and provide interventions to children with disability or additional needs under 5 years of age.

Child in Need (CIN) A legal term used to describe a child who requires additional support or intervention from social services due to circumstances that affect their well-being and development.

Children and Families Act (2014) (CFA) A significant piece of Legislation in the UK that introduced several reforms to improve the support available to children and famiiles, particularly in the areas of education, adoption, childcare and special educational needs (SEN).

Children and Young People (CYP) This term is commonly used in healthcare, education, social services and other sectors to refer to individuals who are under the age of 18, though sometimes it may include individuals up to the age of 25.

Department for Education (DFE) A government department in the UK responsible for overseeing and managing education and children's services in England.

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) The provisions in this relating to education have now been replaced by the Equalities Act 2010.

Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) Also known as Dyspraxia. It is a motor skills disorder that affects coordination and movement, leading to difficulties with tasks that require fine and gross motor skills, such as writing, tying shoelaces, or participating in sports

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) A benefit provided by the UK government to help individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions cover the extra costs associated with their care and mobility needs. DLA is specifically for children under the age of 16

Dynamic Support Register (DSR) A tool used by health and social care professionals, particularly in the context of mental health and learning disabilities, to assess and monitor the support needs of individuals with complex needs

Early Help (EH) Early Help aims to meet the needs of a child, young person and their family at an early stage to avoid a problem escalating. Support can be identified using a whole family assessment and action plan and can be provided by one service or a selection of services depending on your individual needs and circumstances.

Emotional, Behavioural (and Social) Difficulties (EBSD) A range of challenges that individuals, particularly children and young people, may face in regulating their emotions, behaviour, and social interactions.

Education Health Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) The local authority must carry out an EHC assessment if a child or young person may need an Education Health and Care Plan. The assessment is a detailed look at a child’s or young person’s special educational needs and the support he or she may need in order to learn.

Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) An EHC Plan is a legal document written by the local authority to describe the special educational needs a child or young person has and the extra support that will be given to meet those needs. An EHCP can only be issued after an EHC needs assessment.

Elective Home Education (EHE) A term used to describe a choice by parents to provide education for their children at home – or at home and in some other way that they choose, rather than sending them to school.

Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) Educational provisions made for children and young people who, for various reasons, cannot attend a mainstream school.

Educational Psychologist (EP) A professional who specializes in understanding how people learn and develop in educational settings, particularly in relation to emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges that may impact a person's educational progress.

Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) A professional who works within schools or local education authorities to ensure that children attend school regularly and receive an appropriate education.

Further Education (FE) Refers to the stage of education that comes after secondary school (or high school) but before higher education.

Global Development Disorder (GDD) A condition in which a child shows significant delays in reaching developmental milestones compared to others of the same age, including cognitive, motor, social, emotional, and language skills.

Graduated Support Plan (GSP) A framework used in education to provide tailored support for students who may have additional learning needs or require extra help to succeed in their academic environment

Hearing Impairment (HI) A partial or total inability to hear in one or both ears.

Higher Education (HE) Refers to any form of post-secondary education, typically provided at universities or other higher education colleges

Information, Advice, and Support Service (IASS) Provides information, advice and support for children and young people, 0 – 25 years, with Special Educational Needs and / or disability, and their parents. An impartial and confidential service which aims to develop more effective partnership between parents, schools, the LA, statutory services and voluntary organisations. Contact Tel: (01743)280019 for further information.

Individual Education Plan (IEP) The specific educational plan for a student with a disability, tailored to their unique needs and designed to help them succeed in school.

Independent and Parental Special Education Advice service (IPSEA) A UK-based charity that provides free, independent, and expert advice to parents and carers of children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.

Local Authority (LA) Local government body responsible for providing support and services for children and young people. This includes education, education support services, assessments for EHCPs and Social Care.

Looked After Children (LAC) A term used in the UK to describe children and young people who are in the care of a local authority, typically because they are unable to live with their birth families.

Local Offer (LO) Local authorities must publish a Local Offer, setting out in one place information about provision they expect to be available across education, health and social care for children and young people in their area who have SEN or are disabled, including those who do not have Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.

Learning Support Assistant (LSA) An educational professional who supports students, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities, in their learning within the school environment.

Mediation A free service to parents or young people who are considering appealing a decision made regarding the EHC needs assessment and the content of the EHCP.

Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) This describes a child's cognitive abilities, making it more challenging for them to learn in the same way or at the same rate as their peers.

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) A group of professionals from various disciplines who collaborate and work together to provide comprehensive care and support for individuals, especially in health, education, and social care settings.

Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) This refers to individuals, typically young people, who are not currently enrolled in any educational programs, employed, or participating in any form of vocational training.

National Health Service (NHS) The NHS provides healthcare services to all UK residents.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) a mental health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform in response to the obsessions.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) A behavioural condition commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents. It is characterized by a pattern of hostile, disobedient, and defiant behaviours towards authority figures, such as parents, teachers, and other adults.

Occupational Therapy (OT) The focus of occupational therapy is on improving a person’s ability to perform everyday activities or "occupations" that are meaningful to them.

Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) Office for Standards in Education. Advises Government on the quality of education provided by schools in England, the educational standards achieved in those schools, and ways of improving both quality and standards.

Parental Choice Parents have the right to express a preference for the school they would like their child to attend, however they are not guaranteed a place at their preferred school.

Parent Carer Forum (PCF) A group or organization that represents and supports parent carers of children or young people with additional needs, disabilities, or specific care requirements.

Personal Budget (PB) a fixed amount of money allocated to an individual to enable them to manage their own care and support needs, providing them with greater control and flexibility over the services and support they receive.

Person-Centred Planning (PCP) An approach that focuses on the individual’s needs, preferences, and goals in creating a care or support plan.

Physical Disability (PD) A condition that significantly impairs a person's ability to perform physical activities or movements.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) People with PDA tend to have an extreme avoidance of everyday demands and expectations, which can significantly impact their behaviour and ability to function in typical social and educational settings.

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) A widely used, evidence-based communication system designed to help individuals with communication challenges, especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), develop functional communication skills

Personal Education Plan (PEP) An education plan for pupils that are in public care or are ‘looked after’.

Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) Pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties have complex learning needs. In addition to very severe learning difficulties, pupils have other significant difficulties, such as physical disabilities, sensory impairment or a significant medical condition.

Preparation for Adulthood (PFA) Refers to the process by which young people, particularly those with disabilities or special needs, transition from childhood to adult life. This phase includes developing the skills, knowledge, and independence necessary to live as an adult in society.

Pupil Premium A government funding initiative in England aimed at supporting schools to help improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged students.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) This is a benefit designed to help individuals aged 16-64 with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.

Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) A specialized educational setting in the UK that provides education for children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream schools due to a variety of reasons.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) This condition occurs when the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information from the senses. Individuals with SPD may have heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory input, which can affect their daily life and functioning.

Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) A healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and helping individuals with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.

Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) A learning difficulty or disability that makes it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age.

Special Education Needs and Disability Co-Ordinator (SENCO) A SENCO is a teacher who has the responsibility for identifying children with special educational needs and organising and making sure they then receive the appropriate support.

Social Worker (SW) A professional who works with individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance their well-being, address social challenges, and promote positive social change.

Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal/SEND (SENDist) The tribunal hears appeals from young people, or parents of children with SEND, about Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments or EHC Plans. The local authority must act on the tribunal’s decision within a set amount of time.

Supported Internship (SI) A structured work-based learning program designed to help young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) transition from education into employment.

Team around the Child (TAC) A multi-agency approach used to support children and young people who may need extra help due to various factors such as health issues, developmental concerns, family difficulties, or other challenges that could affect their well-being and development.

Team around the Family (TAF) A multi-agency approach aimed at providing coordinated support to families who may be facing challenges that impact the well-being and development of their children.

Transition Plan A plan devised following the Year 9 review of an EHC Plan and updated at subsequent annual reviews. The purpose of the plan is to draw together information from a range of individuals within and beyond the school, in order to plan coherently for the young person’s transition to adult life.

Tuition Medical, Behaviour Support Service (TMBSS) TMBSS is a Community School, maintained by Shropshire Council. The Service exists to meet the needs of students aged between 5 and 16 countywide, who require a short term intervention. The reasons include medical needs, permanent exclusions, moving into the county or those students directly commissioned by their mainstream school.

Visual Impairment (VI) A condition where an individual's vision is significantly reduced or impaired, making it difficult or impossible for them to perform everyday tasks that typically require normal vision.

Young Person (YP) Refers to an individual who is in the developmental stage between childhood and adulthood.

Youth Support Service (YSS) A range of services aimed at supporting young people, particularly those who may be at risk or facing difficulties in their lives