Statutory guidance

SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years

Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25.

• From: Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 11 June 2014
• Last updated: 12 September 2024
  Show all updates

  1. 12 September 2024

     Added a link to the SENCOs mandatory qualification guidance.

  2. 30 April 2020

     Added link to guidance on 'Changes to the law on education, health and care needs assessments and plans due to coronavirus'.

  3. 1 May 2015

     Removed version of SEND code that was valid until 31 March 2015. Clarified when 2001 SEND code is still applicable.

  4. 29 January 2015

     Published the revised 'SEN and disability code of practice 0 to 25 years' which comes into effect on 1 April 2015.

  5. 15 August 2014

     Added link to the 'SEND: guide for parents and carers' page.

  6. 30 July 2014

     Updated the 'SEND code of practice: 0 to 25' document. It comes into force on 1 September 2014.

  7. 22 July 2014

     Updated transitional and savings provisions document includes substantial changes throughout.

  8. 11 June 2014

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years

Ref: DFE-00205-2013

PDF, 3.23 MB, 292 pages

Details

This guidance is for the bodies named in section 77(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014, including: 

• certain schools
• further education institutions
• certain early years education providers
• local authorities
• certain health bodies

This guidance is also for the First-tier Tribunal.

Other key documents relating to the SEND system include:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework 

• SEND: 19- to 25-year-olds’ entitlement to EHC plans 

• SEND tribunal: extended appeals 
• Mandatory qualification for SENCOs
• EHC plans when a child or young person moves