School options for your SEND child

Choosing a school can feel like a big decision when your child has SEND. Every child is different, and there's no single type of school that's right for everyone.

Most children and young people with SEND can attend a mainstream school, where support should be provided to help them achieve their potential. Some children may need a more specialist setting, depending on their needs and the support required.

This page explains the different educational settings available in Kent and the support they can provide, helping you understand your options and decide what might work best for your child.

Things to consider

When looking at schools and educational settings, it can help to think about:

• your child's strengths, interests and aspirations
• the support they need to learn and take part in school life
• the school's experience of supporting similar needs
• travel arrangements and daily routines
• your child's views and feelings.

If possible, visit schools and talk to staff about the support available and how they meet the needs of children with SEND.

Check out some helpful questions to ask the school when you visit them.

Educational settings for children with SEND