What is SEN support?
5 min read · updated 2026-09-01
SEN (special educational needs) support is the extra help schools provide when a child learns or processes differently from most of the class: anything from dyslexia and ADHD to processing speed and anxiety-based avoidance.
The graduated approach
SEN support follows a cycle: assess, plan, do, review. The school identifies needs, puts support in place (small-group work, seating, modified tasks, targeted interventions), and reviews regularly. For most children this level of support is enough; a minority need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a legally binding document with named provision.
How tutoring works alongside SEN support
One-to-one tutoring is often the most SEN-friendly format there is: the pace, the environment and the explanation style adapt to the child rather than the other way around. Tell the tutor what works at school and at home; good tutors build sessions around it and report what they observe back to you.
What to avoid
Any provider promising to 'fix' a diagnosis, dismissing professional advice, or shaming a child for how they learn. Children with SEN needs need patience and structure, and the tutor's confidence in the child is itself part of the support.
FAQs
Should we tell the tutor about our child's needs?＋
Yes. Tutors who know can structure sessions properly, and responsible companies treat that information confidentially.
Does an EHCP mean my child cannot be tutored?＋
No. Tutoring can complement an EHCP's provision, and many families use one-to-one tutoring alongside school support for targeted gaps.
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