Special educational needs (SEN)

Emotional wellbeing is an important aspect to consider when supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

The SEN Code of Practice (2001) identifies four categories of SEN:

  • Learning and cognition
  • Speech, language and communication
  • Sensory and physical impairment
  • Behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESDs)

While the category BESDs relates most directly to emotional wellbeing, the issue of self-esteem is relevant to all pupils with SEN.

This section provides resources for special educational needs coordinators (sencos) and other professionals supporting pupils on the school’s SEN register (you can find information for parents about children with special educational needs here).