Introduction
A child or young person has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability that calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
To understand more about SEND and a school's obligations to address additional needs, read the Quick Guide: Special educational needs and disabilities
Speak to the family and look through the school's records and the panel pack. Search for evidence of SEND, either that has been identified or that is likely to be present but has not been identified. It is often useful to look at correspondence between staff if you have it, as they will regularly express concern about unmet needs or a desire for further support, even when this concern is not apparent from the school's panel pack.
Next step?
Once you have done this, answer the question: Does the young person have identified or apparent SEND?