Schools use lots of different teaching approaches and resources to help every child learn in the way that is best for them. However, if a child does not make progress, the school may decide that they need special educational provision to help them.

If the school decides that a child needs special educational provision, they will add the child’s name to the SEN register and will create a PLP for them.

The SEN register is a list of the names of pupils in a school who have special educational needs and includes specific information about what their difficulties are.

Every child on the SEN register must have a PLP created, maintained and reviewed for them. The PLP applies to all stages of school life – to those in statutory nurseries and nursery classes in primary schools, primary, post-primary and special schools.

Only the school can decide if a child’s name should be placed on the SEN register and, if this decision is made, a PLP will be drawn up to meet their needs.