Glossary

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Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU)	The AWPU is the amount of money that every maintained school receives for each pupil that is on the school roll, whether or not they have SEN. The value of the AWPU varies from one Local Authority to another and according to the age of the pupils. For primary age pupils the minimum is £2000 per year. For pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 the minimum is £3000 per year.
Annual Review	Under the Children and Families Act 2014, Local Authorities must carry out a review of every EHC Plan at least once every 12 months.
Children and Families Act 2014	This law came into force on 1st September 2014. Part 3 of the Act sets out the new law on special educational needs and disability. The Act is supported by the SEND Regulations 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice: 0-25 Years. You can download a copy of the Act here.
Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)	CCGs are groups of professionals that work together to commission health services, ensuring there is sufficient capacity contracted to deliver the necessary services to people.
Direct payment	A payment made directly to a parent or young person to purchase specific services. Under the Children and Families Act 2014, a Direct Payment may be made as part of a Personal Budget so that the parent or young person can buy certain services that are specified in their EHC Plan. Direct payments can only be used for provision provided on the school or college premises if the school or college agrees.
Disagreement resolution	Local Authorities must provide independent disagreement resolution to help parents and young people resolve disputes with Local Authorities, schools and other settings about SEND duties and provision. You can find more information on disagreement resolution in the SEND Code of Practice, 11.6 to 11.10.
Education Funding Agency (EFA)	The EFA is the government agency that funds education for learners between the ages of 3 and 19, and those with learning difficulties and disabilities between the ages of 3 and 25. The EFA allocates funds to Local Authorities, which then provide the funding for maintained schools. The EFA directly funds academies and free schools.
EHC Needs Assessment	Local Authorities must carry out an EHC needs assessment if a child or young person may need an EHC Plan. The assessment is a detailed look at the special educational needs that the child or young person has and what help he or she may need to learn. It is sometimes called a statutory assessment. You can find out more in the SEND Code of Practice, Sections 9.45 – 9.52.
Education Health and Care plan (EHC plan)	An EHC Plan describes the special educational needs that a child or young person has and the help that they will be given to meet them. It also includes the health and care provision that is needed. It is a legal document, written by the Local Authority, and is used for children and young people who have high support needs.
First Tier Tribunal (SEN and disability)	The First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) is a legal body. The Tribunal hears appeals from parents of children with SEN, and young people with SEN, about EHC needs assessments and EHC Plans. You can find out more here.
Graduated approach	The SEND Code of Practice says that schools should follow a graduated approach when providing SEN Support. This is based on a cycle of: Assess Plan Do Review You can find out more about the graduated approach in the SEND code of Practice, Sections 6.44 to 6.56.
Keyworker	Someone who provides children, young people, and parents with a single point of contact to help make sure the support they receive is co-ordinated. A keyworker could be provided directly by a Local Authority or local health organisation, a school or college, or from a voluntary or private sector body.
Local authority/authorities	Local Authorities are administrative offices that provide services within their local areas. There are 152 across England which are education authorities. For more information about local government, see https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/types-of-council
Local Offer	The Local Offer, published by every Local Authority, tells you what support is available for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and their families. It includes information about education, health, and care provision. It also gives information about training, employment, and independent living for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Mainstream school	This is a school that provides education for all children, whether or not they have special educational needs or disabilities.