ABSTRACT

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the role of the special educational needs coordinator developed in response to the introduction of legislation related to the identification of children with special educational needs and a statutory requirement to meet their needs in schools. The local offer must include both local provision and provision outside the area that the LA expects is likely to be used by children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability for whom they are responsible. The concepts of 'special educational' and 'additional support' needs cover a wide area that may go well beyond school and the conventional realm of 'education' into, sometimes, health and welfare. Ideally, partnerships between teachers and support staff should be built on a foundation of mutual respect and trust and a common understanding of how to address the difficulties in learning that some students might face.