This section is for you, if your child has a significant learning difficulty, compared to other children of the same age. Or if they have a long-term illness or health condition which makes it difficult for them to take part in daily activities.
Bradford has a plan (called the Bradford Local Offer) to help children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
It includes information about what services and support you and your child can get, such as:
- schools and colleges
- transport
- getting training
- getting a job
- sport and other activities
- local groups
Find out more about the Bradford Local Offer.
You can also find helpful information on Bradford Council’s Family Hubs pages.
Support in school and college
If you think or know your child has a special educational need or disability (SEND) you should speak to your school.
All schools and colleges have a duty to identify children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). They must provide the additional support that children need.
To help do this, schools have a Special Educational Needs or Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCO) who you can speak to. In colleges they are usually called Additional Learning Needs Coordinators.
Sometimes your child needs an Education, Health and Care Plan, if they need a lot more support than the school or college can provide on its own.
Schools and colleges must involve you in any decisions about support for your child.
For more information you can contact the Bradford SEND Information Advice and Support Service.
Paying for care for your child
If your child has an education, health and care plan, and needs extra care and support offered by a health care professional, you may have to pay all or some of the costs of this care.
The Council will decide how much you need to pay.
You are not alone – join a group!
If you are a parent carer for a child or young person with special needs – you are not alone.
There are over 9,000 families in Bradford who are in a similar position.
Join the Parents’ Forum for Bradford and Airedale (PFBA).
