This section has information and advice about identifying your learner’s individual needs and providing them with the support they need to benefit fully from their education.
It will help you understand:
- ways to identify your learner’s individual needs
- different ways you can support your learners
- how you can use written support plans to help you plan, deliver and review your learners support and progress
- co-ordinated support plans (CSPs).
You can also find helpful resources and services for supporting children and young people with specific support needs, including autism, dyslexia and anxiety.

Identifying and assessing learners’ needs
Understand what steps you can and should take to identify and understand your learners’ individual support needs.

Meeting learners’ additional support needs
Understand the different ways you and your colleagues can support children and young people with their learning.

Planning learners’ additional support
Understand more about different plans and your responsibilities around planning your learners’ additional support.

Co-ordinated support plans (CSPs)
Understand more about CSPs, the support plan for children with long term multiple or complex support needs, who require significant support from education and at least one other service or agency.

I have a learner who needs support because…
There are many fantastic resources and services that can help you support children and young people with specific support needs. We’ve collated a list of some of the most helpful places to get you started for the additional support needs our helpline is contacted about most often.