All children are unique and will develop at different rates.
Some children and young people may require more help to learn and develop than others of the same age because of a physical disability, neurodivergence or a learning need. They may be classed as having special educational needs or disability (SEND) and they may get extra support.
The first step is to talk to your child's childcare or education setting to discuss the support that can be put in place for them. If your child isn't in childcare, speak to your health visitor or GP to access support. You can find a video about what support is available and who to speak to if you think your child has SEND needs. Contact your child's school or nursery before they start to get that support in place for them as early as possible. With that extra support children will make good progress.
Your child's childcare or education setting should plan extra learning support for your child if they think they have SEN. You can find out more about support available to you and your child at the Kent County Council's Local Offer website.
If your child isn't making the expected progress despite the support put in place, you can request an education health and care (EHC) assessment for your child. You do not need a neurodivergence diagnosis to apply for an EHC.
Information Advice and Support Kent (IASK) offers free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children, young people up to age 25, parents and carers.
For families with under-fives
Your health visitor is part of the team here to support you and your child. We can:
- provide practical advice and guidance to support your child's health and wellbeing
- help identify special educational needs by completing developmental reviews and referring to paediatricians for review and diagnosis
- refer to other agencies for support and diagnosis such as the care co- ordination team, portage and speech and language therapy teams
- bring together local services that can support you and your child
- work in partnership with nursery settings and childminders through integrated reviews.
If you have any concerns about your child's development or you think your child may have additional needs contact your local Health Visiting Team for advice and support.
At nine to 12-months you will be contacted by a member of the Health Visiting Team to complete your baby's first health and well-being review. This review gives you as parents the opportunity to see how your child is developing, and if they need any additional support to reach their full potential. This developmental review will take place in a clinic or your home and will take around 45 minutes.
A member of the Health Visiting Team will work with you to complete an 'ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ)'. This looks at areas of your child's development including:
- gross motor skills such as sitting unsupported
- fine motor skills such as transferring a toy from one hand to the other
- personal and social skills
- communication skills such as babbling
- problem solving skills.
You can email healthvisitingappointments@nhs.net to change or amend an appointment or contact your local team for support.
At two to two-and-a-half years you will be contacted by a member of the Health Visiting Team to complete your baby's second health and well-being review.
This review gives you as parents the opportunity to see how your child is developing, and if they need any additional support to reach their full potential and be ready for nursery and school. This developmental review will take place in a clinic or your home and will take around 45 minutes. A member of the Health Visiting Team will work with you to complete an 'ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ)'. This looks at areas of your child's development including:
- gross motor skills such as walking
- fine motor skills such as using crayons
- personal and social skills
- communication skills
- problem solving skills.
If your child attends an early year's setting they will be offered a developmental integrated review at this age. This is combination of your health visiting developmental review and the Early Year's progress review.
You can email healthvisitingappointments@nhs.net to change or amend an appointment or contact your local team for support.
For school-aged children
Kent School Health are a team of nurses and practitioners who work with children, young people and families in Kent. You do not have to be in school to use the service. We offer one-to-one support based on your child’s needs and can support a referral to health or education specialists if your child needs further support.
Useful resources
- Kent County Council special educational need and disability (SEND) information hub - information for families with children with special educational needs or disabilities about what support services are available in their area.
- KCHFT Children's Therapy Pod - has useful resources, films and links that can help your child achieve their therapy goals including speech and language development.
- Families in Kent can access the 'Understanding your child with additional needs' online course. This looks at some particular aspects of parenting such as sleep and anger management, helping to make it easier to work with your child's behaviour as well as supporting their development. Go to 'In Our Place' and apply the access code Invicta to register for an account.
- Contact is a charity for families with disabled children. They also have a helpline 0808 8083555.
- Mencap - The Royal Mencap Society is a charity that works with people with a learning disability.
- SEND: guide for parents and carers - A guide on the support system for children and young people with SEND.
- Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) are Independent Provider of Special Education Advice is a registered charity operating in England. IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of SEND. They also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals and other organisations.
- The Children's Home-based Short Breaks Team offer short-breaks to give respite to children with complex health needs and their families.