Access arrangements
Access arrangements are pre-exam adjustments, set by JCQ rules, that let disabled candidates show what they know. How colleges apply them for GCSE and A level.
Overview
SEND and learner support glossary
Plain-English definitions of learner support, SEND, funding, apprenticeship, data protection and accessibility terms used in England's FE sector.
- 33terms defined
- 64primary sources cited
In short
Plain-English definitions of the SEND, inclusion, funding, apprenticeship, data protection and accessibility terms that inclusion teams, tutors, employers and learners meet in England's further education and apprenticeship system.
A
Access to Work
Access to Work is a government grant that pays for practical and mental health support at work for disabled people. How it relates to apprentices and adjustments.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support is the extra help FE providers give learners to access and complete their course. What it covers, how it is funded and recorded.
Annual review
An annual review is the yearly check of an EHCP to see whether the plan is working. How the process runs for FE learners and what colleges need to do.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology is equipment, software or systems that help disabled people do tasks. Examples, legal context and practical tips for FE and apprentices.
Anticipatory duty
The anticipatory duty under the Equality Act requires education providers to plan ahead for disabled learners, not wait for a request. What it means in FE.
C
Controller and processor
A controller decides why and how personal data is used; a processor acts on its instructions. How colleges, providers, employers and suppliers fit these roles.
D
DPIA
A DPIA is a risk assessment you carry out before processing personal data that is likely to be high risk. When FE providers need one and what it should cover.
E
EHC needs assessment
An EHC needs assessment is the local authority process that decides whether an EHCP is needed. Who can request one and how it works for FE learners.
EHCP
An EHCP is a legal document setting out a young person's special educational needs and the support they must receive. How it works in FE and apprenticeships.
End-point assessment
End-point assessment is the final independent assessment of an apprentice's occupational competence. How it works and how reasonable adjustments apply.
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination and requires reasonable adjustments for disabled people. What it means for FE colleges and apprenticeships.
H
High needs funding
High needs funding pays for additional support for children and young people with SEND, including 16 to 25 learners in FE. How the three elements fit together.
I
Individualised Learner Record
The ILR is the data return FE and apprenticeship providers make to DfE about learners and funded learning. What it holds and how it relates to learner support.
L
Learner voice
Learner voice means learners' own views shaping decisions about their learning and support. How the SEND law and good practice apply it in FE.
Local offer
The local offer is the information a local authority publishes on SEND services for 0 to 25s in its area. How colleges and providers contribute and use it.
M
Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets how decisions are made for people aged 16 and over who may lack capacity. What it means for FE learners and EHCP decisions.
N
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity describes natural variation in how human brains work. What neurodivergent means, how it relates to disability law and what FE providers should do.
O
Off-the-job training
Off-the-job training is taught learning an apprentice does in paid hours, apart from normal duties. The apprenticeship rules on what counts, and SEND support.
P
Protected characteristics
Protected characteristics are the nine grounds on which the Equality Act 2010 forbids discrimination. A list, with how they apply in colleges and apprenticeships.
Person-centred planning
Person-centred planning puts the individual's goals, strengths and choices at the centre of support. How the SEND Code applies it to EHC plans and FE.
Preparing for adulthood
Preparing for adulthood is the SEND code's focus on helping young people with SEND reach employment, independent living, community inclusion and good health.
Public sector equality duty
The public sector equality duty requires public bodies to consider equality in their decisions. What section 149 means for FE colleges and training providers.
R
Reasonable adjustment
A reasonable adjustment is a change a provider must make so a disabled person is not at a substantial disadvantage. How the duty works in FE and apprenticeships.
S
SENCo
A SENCo coordinates support for learners with special educational needs. What the role is in schools, and who does the job in FE and apprenticeships.
Specialist post-16 institution
A specialist post-16 institution is a setting for young people over 16 with SEND, approved under section 41. What it means for EHCPs, funding and transition.
SEND
SEND means special educational needs and disability. How the law defines it for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and what it means in FE.
Special category data
Special category data is sensitive personal data, including health and disability information, that needs extra protection under UK GDPR. What FE providers must do.
SEND tribunal
The First-tier Tribunal (SEND) hears appeals about EHC assessments and plans. Who can appeal, what can be appealed and how it affects post-16 learners.
Social model of disability
The social model of disability says people are disabled by barriers, not impairments. How it differs from the legal definition and shapes FE practice.
T
Top-up funding
Top-up funding is the extra money a local authority pays a post-16 institution for a learner with high needs, above core funding. How it works in FE.
U
UK GDPR
UK GDPR is the UK's main data protection law, working with the Data Protection Act 2018. The principles, rights and duties that matter to colleges and providers.
W
WCAG
WCAG is the W3C's international standard for accessible web content. WCAG 2.2, levels A to AAA and what it means for FE colleges and learning software.
Learner support has a lot of acronyms. Each entry gives a short definition first, then what it means in practice for further education and apprenticeship providers, with links to the official source and our longer guides.
Which terms should I know first?
If you are new to inclusion in FE, start with five terms: SEND, EHCP, reasonable adjustment, additional learning support and learner voice. Together they cover who is entitled to support, what the law requires and how support is agreed with the learner.
How are the terms grouped?
The A to Z below mixes several families of terms, so it helps to know which family a word belongs to:
- Law and duties, such as the Equality Act 2010, the anticipatory duty and the public sector equality duty.
- SEND and funding, such as high needs funding, top-up funding and annual review.
- Apprenticeships, such as off-the-job training and Access to Work.
- Data and accessibility, such as special category data, DPIA and WCAG.
Why have some terms changed?
Some terms change when organisations or rules change, so older documents may use different words. The Education and Skills Funding Agency closed in March 2025 and its functions moved into the Department for Education. For revised apprenticeship standards, “apprenticeship assessment” and “assessment organisation” replace end-point assessment and EPAO, although our end-point assessment entry keeps the older name because many people still search for it.
Are these definitions legal advice?
No. They are plain-English summaries to help you follow a conversation or a document, and each links to the primary source. For a decision about a particular learner, read the source and take professional advice where needed.
Frequently asked questions
What does SEND mean in further education?
SEND stands for special educational needs and disability. In FE it covers young people up to 25 under the SEND framework, while the Equality Act 2010 protects disabled learners of any age.
Is a reasonable adjustment the same as additional learning support?
No. A reasonable adjustment is a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010. Additional learning support is a funded form of help, and it may or may not be how an adjustment is delivered.
Where do the definitions come from?
Each entry is written in plain English and links to the official source, such as legislation.gov.uk or gov.uk, so you can check the exact wording.
Help shape the pilot
We are working with a small number of England FE colleges and apprenticeship providers first. Tell us about your learner support and we will be in touch.