Hi

Hope this is the right place for my question

I have not been a TA for very long and would very much like to know if children with IEP's are also called SEN children if not what exactly do we mean by the term SEN child. I know I should know this but everyone uses different terms and I am just lost.

I would like to apply for a job working with an SEN child but am not sure if I have the experience. I have just completed a year in Year 1 and 3 children in there had IEP's and I worked closely with two of them. Last year I worked with a class and almost half of them had IEP's and one child had a TA working with him all the time and I helped when they were ill. I have also worked with a child with Downs Syndrome.

I would love to apply for this job but not sure if I have the right experience.

Many thanks

Kit

I think you have some good experience to offer.

SEN relates to any child with a Special Educational Need. Those that need help to access the curriculmn for many different reasons. Some may have physical needs others learning difficulties the range is vast.

IEP, An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a planning, teaching and reviewing tool produced by a school or early years setting for all staff working with a child. It should specify:

* what special help is being given
* how often the child will receive the help
* who will provide the help
* what the targets for the child are (usually three or four specific short term targets)
* how and when the child's progress will be checked



Not all children who have an IEP are statemented or SEN.