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Additional support in education

Photo: Not all deaf children will have special or additional educational needs

All children have the right to access education and to have their needs met, this includes children with all types and levels of deafness. Understanding the additional support your deaf child may be able to get in school and beyond can help you make sure that your child gets the support they need and the most out of their education.

There are different words and ways of describing additional support in education across the UK. In England and Northern Ireland, your deaf child may have special educational needs (SEN). In Scotland, your child may have additional support needs (ASN). In Wales, your child may have additional learning needs (ALN).

England

In England, a child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which means they need (or are likely to need) special educational provision to be made for them.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, a child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which means they need (or are likely to need) special educational provision to be made for them.

Scotland

In Scotland, children who are permanently deaf have the right to additional support for learning (ASL) so they have the same opportunities as other children. 

Wales

A child or young person has ALN if they have a learning difficulty or disability that makes it harder for them to learn if they are not given extra support that is not normally given to other learners their age.