Understand SEND
Learn what SEND means, the four broad areas of need, and how support can relate to learning, communication, wellbeing, independence, behaviour, sensory access and physical functioning.
Explore clear guides, practical checklists, visual explainers and interactive tools for EHCPs, EOTAS, annual reviews, SEND appeals, missing provision, psychological assessment, school or college choices and preparation for adulthood.
You do not need to read everything. Start with the question closest to your situation and choose the format that feels most useful.

You can learn what SEND means, prepare for an EHCP request or annual review, understand EOTAS and tribunal processes, organise evidence, explore possible areas of need, identify a suitable psychological assessment and find the Navigate SEND service that appears closest to your situation.
What would help most right now?Choose one starting point. You can return and explore other resources at any time.
Learn what SEND means, the four broad areas of need, and how support can relate to learning, communication, wellbeing, independence, behaviour, sensory access and physical functioning.
Use practical checklists for EHCP requests, annual reviews, appeals, EOTAS, psychological assessment, preparing for adulthood, workplace needs and professional referrals.
Use the SEND Access Screener as a structured, non-diagnostic guide to possible strengths, barriers and areas that may be worth exploring further.
Answer a small number of questions to identify the Navigate SEND service that appears to be the closest starting point. No names or documents are required.
Browse resources by what is happeningChoose the situation that feels closest. Each route brings together an explanation, a practical resource and the most relevant service or next-step page.
Understand the EHC needs assessment process, organise the evidence and prepare a clearer initial request or reassessment request.
Prepare for an annual review or identify where needs, outcomes, provision or placement may need updating.
Understand appeal preparation, mediation, evidence, the working document, hearing preparation and implementation.
SEND appeal and tribunal preparation →
Think about placement suitability, the support the setting must deliver and how to evidence why a particular placement is a good fit.
Learn what SEND means, explore possible access needs and identify whether a psychological assessment or report may be helpful.
Explore independence, post-16 transition, further or higher education, workplace adjustments, Access to Work and vocational planning.
Psychological assessments and report finder →
Use these when you want a more structured way to organise your thinking. Each tool is a starting point and should be interpreted in context.
A brief problem-first tool that suggests the Navigate SEND service most likely to fit the situation.
A non-diagnostic guide across communication, learning, emotional wellbeing, adaptive agency, social behaviour and physical functioning.
A guided report finder for EHCPs, EOTAS, learning, SpLD, DSA, access arrangements, adulthood, work and complex cases.
Nine practical routes covering EHCP support, reviews, appeals, EOTAS, assessment, adulthood, occupational needs, professional referrals and uncertain enquiries.
Start with “What is SEND?” if you are trying to understand needs, use the SEND Service Finder if you know what is going wrong but not the service name, or choose a checklist if a meeting or decision is approaching.
No. The Resource Centre is for families, young people, schools, case managers, therapists, solicitors, professional deputies and other professionals working with children, young people or adults with SEND-related needs.
No. It is a beta, non-diagnostic guide to possible strengths, barriers and areas that may need further exploration. It is not a psychological assessment, legal assessment, statutory decision or crisis tool.
Yes. The checklists are designed to help you organise the most useful information before a meeting, consultation or enquiry. You do not need to have everything ready before contacting us.
No. They provide general SEND, education and psychologically informed guidance. Where legal, clinical, medical, safeguarding or emergency input is required, the appropriate qualified or statutory service should be used.
Record the date clearly and seek appropriate advice promptly. If you contact Navigate SEND, include the decision, meeting, mediation or tribunal date in the initial enquiry. Immediate safety or safeguarding concerns should use the relevant emergency or statutory route.