Understanding SEND Profiles & Early Identification

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About Course

Introduction to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a practical, accessible, and informative CPD-certified course designed to help parents, carers, educators, and professionals better understand, recognise, and respond to emerging SEND needs in children.

The course provides a clear introduction to the four broad areas of SEND and explores how additional needs may present in everyday life across the home, school, and wider social environment. Learners will develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise early indicators of need, distinguish between behaviour and underlying unmet needs, and begin advocating for appropriate support, even when a child does not yet have a formal diagnosis.

Participants will explore the SEND Code of Practice, parental rights, and the different pathways available when seeking support through schools, education services, and healthcare professionals. The course also considers the potential emotional, educational, and social impact of unmet or unidentified SEND, including anxiety, school avoidance, disengagement from learning, and increased risk of exclusion.

Through practical activities, observation tools, downloadable resources, and reflective exercises, learners will develop practical strategies for identifying concerns, recording meaningful evidence, communicating effectively with professionals, and taking informed next steps towards assessment, intervention, and support.

The course is designed to help participants feel better equipped to understand a child’s needs, ask the right questions, and contribute positively to creating an environment where children can feel understood, supported, and included.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for:

  • Parents and carers
  • Teachers and teaching assistants
  • Pastoral and inclusion staff
  • SENCOs and education professionals
  • Healthcare and support professionals
  • Community and youth workers
  • Anyone supporting a child with suspected or diagnosed SEND

CPD Information

CPD Hours: 3 Hours 20 Minutes

Participants who successfully complete the course assessment will receive a CPD Certificate of Completion.

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What Will You Learn?

  • Recognise the four broad areas of SEND and their key characteristics.
  • Understand the SEND Code of Practice and parental rights.
  • Identify early signs and behaviours that may indicate emerging SEND needs.
  • Observe and record patterns to support requests for help.
  • Differentiate between behaviour and unmet needs.
  • Take initial steps toward accessing support from schools and healthcare professionals.
  • Build confidence to trust parental instinct and advocate for assessment.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to SEND
This module establishes a vital foundation, shifting the focus from "waiting for a label" to "acting on need." You will explore the SEND Code of Practice, learning that support is a legal right that should begin the moment a barrier is identified. By breaking down the four broad categories of need, we help you translate parental intuition into professional evidence.Key Highlights:The "Support First" Mindset: Why a diagnosis is not a prerequisite for help.The 4 Pillars of Need: Mapping behaviors to official educational categories.The Power of Advocacy: Using early identification to break the cycle of school exclusion.

  • Lesson 1.1: What is SEND? Need vs. Diagnosis
    03:50
  • Learning Check
  • Lesson 1.2: The SEND Code of Practice: Essential Guide
  • The SEND Code of Practice: An Essential Guide for Parents
  • Lesson 1.3: Sensory & Physical Needs (Visual, Hearing, Physical Disabilities)
  • Activity: Recognising and Supporting Sensory & Physical Needs in Children

Module 2: Understanding SEND Profiles
Module 2: Understanding SEND Profiles introduces parents to the key characteristics and behaviours of major SEND areas, including ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Participants will learn to recognise emotional, cognitive, social, and motor challenges, as well as common signs such as impulsivity, rigid routines, literacy difficulties, and coordination issues. Practical observation activities help map behaviours across environments, equipping parents to support their child effectively and advocate for appropriate interventions.

Module 3: Spotting Early Signs Before Diagnosis
This module helps parents identify early indicators of SEND before a formal diagnosis is made. Participants will learn to distinguish between behaviours and underlying needs, track patterns across home and school, and gather evidence to support advocacy. Early identification enables timely intervention, reducing the risk of academic struggles, emotional challenges, and school exclusion.

Module 4: Accessing Support Without a Diagnosis
Parents’ rights, documentation, and advocacy strategies to access early support. Many parents believe a formal diagnosis is required before schools or professionals can provide support—but that’s not the case. Module 4 equips parents with practical tools, strategies, and confidence to act on their child’s needs immediately. You’ll learn how to document observations, communicate effectively with professionals, and advocate for interventions, even before a diagnosis is confirmed.

Assessment & Certification
The Assessment & Certification (Graded) component of the course is designed to ensure participants not only understand key concepts but can also apply them practically. It includes a graded self-quiz, requiring a minimum score of 70%, which reinforces knowledge of early SEND signs, parental rights under the SEND Code of Practice, and the distinction between behaviour and unmet needs. Participants also complete a one-week SEND observation log, recording behaviours, triggers, context, and responses, which provides objective evidence for reflection and advocacy. Using insights from the observations, they draft a concise 1-page personal plan detailing identified needs, planned meetings, strategies, and follow-up goals. Successful completion of these assessments earns participants a CPD Certificate of Completion, recognising both their theoretical understanding and practical application of early identification and advocacy skills.

Course Resources (Downloadable)
To support your learning and practical application, participants will have access to a suite of downloadable resources designed to make observation, advocacy, and support easier and more effective.

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