What is a SENCO and how do they support children with ADHD? Do you need a diagnosis for your child in order for them to access special provisions in school? What is an ECHP and when is it needed?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, all your SEN questions will be answered - and more! Claire is joined by Lauren Lambert - a current serving school SENCO and mother to two neurodivergent children. 

Lauren has worked across a range of schools on the south coast from infant to sixth form over her 20-year career as a teacher and has a wealth of first-hand experience in how schools can support children with ADHD, and the challenges faced by reduction in education budgets.

Claire and Lauren discuss the educational tensions in providing the right support for pupils with special educational needs and how parents can best navigate school systems. Lauren gives comprehensive overviews of:

- what a SENCO does and how they work with children within a school

- the SEND code of practice and how it governs what provisions are available to children with special educational needs

- the benefits of getting a diagnosis for your child with regards to their support at school

- the importance of the ‘assess plan do review’ cycle to monitor your child’s progress once provisions are in place

- how EHCPs work, when they are needed and the process to get one set up

Lauren emphasises the necessity of a ‘needs-led’ approach that is individual to the child, rather than putting them into categories by diagnosis. She also shares some fascinating insight into common difficulties for children with ADHD, along with examples of strategies to support them in their learning - including both short-term interventions and longer-term strategies they can take with them into their adult life.

This episode is a must-listen for parents embarking on their ADHD journey to better understand how they can work with schools to ensure the best outcomes for their children.

Please note this episode was recorded prior to the 2024 general election when the Conservative Government was still in power.

Here are links to resources discussed in this episode that you may find helpful:

IPSEA: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/

Goblin Tools: https://goblin.tools/

Find your local SENDIASS: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/about-us-0/networks/information-advice-and-support-services-network/find-your-local-ias-service

Research paper into educational experiences for children with ADHD by Dr Abigail Russell: https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/children-with-adhd-face-cycle-of-negative-experiences-in-their-early-school-years/

Children’s Commissioner calls for radical rehaul of the SEND system:

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news/commissioner-calls-for-radical-rehaul-of-the-send-system/