20 Ways to Make Your Home SEND-Friendly

Written by Helen Kenworthy, Artistic Director

Helen champions the arts as a tool for change. Now as CEO of RYTC Creatives CIC and Give Get Go Education she mentors young people, creates pathways for them to thrive in the arts and helps launch successful careers.

Creating a welcoming and supportive home for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can make a world of difference to their well-being, learning, and overall development. A SEND-friendly environment doesn’t just mean making physical adjustments— it’s about fostering an atmosphere that caters to their unique needs, promotes emotional security, and encourages their independence. Whether your child is navigating sensory sensitivities, learning challenges, or other developmental needs, making your home a supportive space is key to helping them thrive.

This article will explore 20 practical and simple ways to transform your home into a SEND-friendly haven. From creating sensory-friendly spaces to adopting strategies that support your child’s emotional health, every change you make can have a positive impact. The aim is to create a space where your child feels safe, understood, and motivated to engage with the world around them.

By making small, thoughtful adjustments to your home, you can help your child develop essential life skills, feel more confident, and better manage challenges they may face. Whether you’re looking to introduce sensory tools or create an area for focused learning, this guide offers actionable ideas for building a home that truly supports your child’s needs and growth. Let’s get started on making your space the best it can be for your child’s future.

Understanding SEND: What it means for your family

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) refer to a wide range of conditions that impact how children learn, communicate, and interact with the world around them. These needs can vary greatly from child to child, and they often require tailored support to ensure children can access education and participate fully in everyday activities. For families, understanding SEND is an essential step in providing the right support, ensuring their child's individual needs are met, and helping them reach their full potential.

Understanding the various categories of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is key to providing the right support for children. These categories highlight the diverse ways in which SEND can affect a child's learning and development. Each category presents its challenges, and recognising them allows families and educators to implement the most effective strategies to support the child's growth and wellbeing.

Here are the main categories of SEND

1. Learning disabilities: Affect how a child processes information, making tasks like reading, writing, and math more challenging.

2. Sensory impairments: Conditions like hearing or visual impairments that affect how children perceive the world around them.

3. Physical disabilities: Impact mobility or physical coordination, requiring tailored support.

4. Communication difficulties: These make it harder for children to express themselves or understand others, affecting interaction and learning.

5. Emotional and behavioural disorders: Conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, or autism that influence behaviour, social interactions, and emotional regulation, requiring specific strategies for management.
   

By fostering a deeper understanding of SEND, we can create a more inclusive environment where children with diverse needs are empowered to reach their full potential. With the right support and resources, every child can succeed, regardless of the challenges they may face.

The role of parents in creating a SEND-friendly home

Parents play a vital role in creating a SEND-friendly home environment where their child can feel supported, understood, and empowered to learn. By being actively involved, parents can help their child overcome challenges, build confidence, and develop vital skills for life.

Here’s how parents can make a positive impact

1. Understanding your child’s needs: The first step is to truly understand your child's specific needs. Every child with SEND is unique, and what works for one child may not work for another. By learning about their condition, whether it’s a learning disability, sensory impairment, or communication difficulty, parents can gain insights into the most effective strategies for support.

2. Creating a supportive home environment: A SEND-friendly home should be a place where children feel safe, comfortable, and able to focus on their learning. This might involve creating a quiet, clutter-free study area, using assistive technology, or adapting routines to suit your child’s learning style. Simple changes like providing clear instructions or using visual aids can make a big difference.

3. Advocating for your child: Parents are often the best advocates for their child. This means speaking up for their needs at school, in medical settings, and with other professionals. Advocacy involves understanding your child's rights, knowing the support options available, and working to ensure they get the resources and assistance they need.

4. Collaborating with professionals: Working with teachers, special education professionals, and healthcare providers is essential. Parents can create a partnership with these professionals to ensure the best support is provided both at home and in educational settings. Regular communication and sharing observations about the child’s progress at home can help professionals tailor their strategies more effectively.

5. Encouraging independence: While support is important, parents should also encourage their child’s independence. This can include breaking tasks into manageable steps, teaching problem-solving skills, and celebrating their child’s progress, no matter how small. This boosts their child’s confidence and encourages a sense of achievement.

6. Being patient and flexible: Children with SEND may need extra time to process information or complete tasks. Parents must practice patience and be flexible with expectations, allowing for mistakes and learning moments. Positive reinforcement, praise, and encouragement go a long way in building self-esteem.

By being actively involved in creating a SEND-friendly home, parents can help their child navigate the challenges of SEND with confidence. This supportive environment allows children to thrive, both academically and emotionally, and ensures they feel valued and understood.

The importance of mental health in SEND homes

Mental health is crucial in homes with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). A child's mental well-being significantly impacts their ability to learn, interact, and develop positive relationships. For families with SEND children, supporting mental health is not just about addressing challenges but also fostering a positive environment that encourages emotional growth and resilience.

Creating a supportive, understanding atmosphere at home can significantly affect a child's emotional regulation and behaviour. It helps children feel secure, valued, and better able to cope with difficulties. Parents and caregivers who focus on mental health can improve their children's quality of life and help them reach their full potential.

Here are some practical ways to support emotional well-being at home

1. Create a safe space: Set up a quiet, calming area where your child can go to feel safe when they are feeling overwhelmed. Include comfortable items like pillows, soft lighting, or calming toys to help them relax.

2. Practice mindfulness together: Encourage simple activities like deep breathing or stretching to help your child stay calm. These practices help them become more aware of their feelings and manage stress.

3. Encourage open communication: Make it easy for your child to express how they are feeling. Use simple words, pictures, or emotion charts to help them talk about their feelings.

4. Teach emotional regulation: Help your child learn to manage strong emotions, like anger or frustration. Simple tools like counting to ten or taking a short break can help them feel in control.

5. Use praise and positive reinforcement: Celebrate when your child manages their emotions well or expresses their feelings clearly. Positive feedback encourages them to keep practicing good emotional habits.

6. Maintain a consistent routine: Having a daily routine helps your child know what to expect and feel more secure. Stick to regular times for meals, schoolwork, play, and bedtime to reduce stress.
   

By fostering a supportive, understanding environment at home and prioritising mental health, parents can help their SEND children feel more confident, resilient, and ready to face the world. This creates a nurturing space where both emotional and academic growth can flourish.

20 practical ways to make your home more SEND-friendly

1. Create a calm, quiet space

Designate a quiet area where your child can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. Such as noise- reducing headphones, soft lighting, and calming colours to promote relaxation.

2. Use clear and simple instructions

Visual aids, pictures, and symbols can help your child understand instructions more easily. Use clear and simple language to communicate and incorporate visual reminders for tasks and routines.

3. Organise with labels and storage solutions

Clutter can be overwhelming for children with SEND. Use labelled storage bins, boxes, and shelves to keep their belongings organised and easily accessible. Colour-code items for visual clarity.

4. Ensure sensory-friendly lighting

Avoid bright, flickering, or harsh lights. Opt for soft, natural lighting or adjustable LED lamps that can be dimmed according to your child’s needs. Consider adding fairy lights or soft night lights for comfort.

5. Incorporate sensory-friendly items

Provide sensory tools like weighted blankets, fidget toys, or a textured rug for your child to engage with. These can help them be calm and focused and provide sensory input when needed.

6. Establish routine and predictability

A consistent daily routine is crucial for children with SEND, as it provides structure and reduces anxiety. Use a visual timetable to help your child understand what comes next throughout the day.

7. Create a comfortable study area

Set up a quiet, distraction-free study space with all the necessary tools. Ensure the workspace is comfortable, with appropriate seating and a clutter-free desk to help your child concentrate.

8. Use noise-canceling headphones

For children with auditory sensitivities, noise-cancelling headphones can help block out distracting sounds. These can be especially useful during homework time or when there’s a lot of background noise.

9. Encourage movement breaks

Children with SEND may need frequent breaks to move around. Set up an area where your child can safely engage in movement, such as a small trampoline, balance board, or sensory path.

10. Choose comfortable furniture

Ensure furniture is comfortable and suitable for your child’s needs. Opt for soft seating, supportive chairs, and cushions that allow them to feel at ease while relaxing or engaging in activities.

11. Provide visual supports

Visual schedules, charts, and boards can help children with SEND to stay on track and understand expectations. Consider incorporating coloured stickers, arrows, or photos to enhance comprehension.

12. Minimise sensory overload

Be mindful of sensory triggers, such as loud noises, strong smells, or bright colours. Use soft textures, gentle scents, and calm decor to create a soothing environment that reduces sensory overload.

13. Use interactive and engaging materials

Incorporate tactile, interactive materials such as puzzles, playdough, or building blocks to engage your child’s senses and encourage learning through hands-on play.

14. Foster a sense of independence

Design your home in a way that supports your child’s independence. Lower shelves, easy-to-reach storage, and simple organisation systems can help them feel more capable and in control of their space.

15. Incorporate therapeutic tools

If your child benefits from therapeutic tools such as a sensory swing, a therapy ball, or a vibrating massager, make sure these are easily accessible. These items can help your child self-regulate and feel more grounded.

16. Make use of visual stimulation

Incorporate engaging visual stimuli like colourful artwork, educational posters, or items that reflect your child’s interests. This can help support focus and learning.

17. Ensure accessibility

Consider your child’s mobility and physical needs when designing their space. Ensure that

Hallways are wide, ramps or stair lifts are available if needed, and the furniture is arranged to provide safe access to all areas.

18. Encourage calm with aromatherapy

Essential oils or aromatherapy diffusers can help create a calming atmosphere. Scents like lavender or chamomile are known to promote relaxation, which can help children with sensory needs.

19. Support emotional expression

Provide tools for emotional expression, such as a feelings chart or a safe space to express emotions verbally or through drawing. This helps children communicate their feelings in a non-judgmental way.

20. Ensure safety and comfort

Safety is always a priority in a SEND-friendly home. Use child-proof locks, corner protectors, and non-slip mats to ensure your home is safe for your child to move around in. Make sure all areas are easily navigable to avoid accidents.

Conclusion

Supporting the mental health of children in SEND homes is essential for their overall well-being and development. By creating a safe and structured environment, encouraging open communication, and promoting emotional regulation, we can help children feel secure, understood, and empowered. Small, consistent efforts can make a big difference in their emotional and mental resilience.

At RYTC and ESB, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and nurturing space for SEND children. We believe in the power of creativity, education, and emotional support to help every child thrive. Moreover, The Learning Genie Club – (Structured, Supportive Learning at Home) programme is perfect for families wanting to build routine and reinforce learning at home. Its engaging, structured approach helps SEND children thrive through routine, visual cues, and multi-sensory learning, complementing tips like "Use Clear and Simple Instructions" and "Establish Routine."

Beyond our programmes, we actively advocate for mental health awareness, ensuring that every child has the tools and encouragement they need to flourish. Whether you’re building a sensory-friendly study space or looking for creative ways to support your child’s emotional growth, we’re here to help:

• Explore home-based learning tools and supportive resources at ESB.

• Discover inclusive drama and storytelling workshops for SEND learners at RYTC.

Every home can become a space where children with SEND feel confident, safe, and empowered to grow.

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Read more from Helen Kenworthy

Helen Kenworthy, Artistic Director

Helen Kenworthy’s career embodies the transformative power of the arts, from her early roles in the prestigious West End with Bill Kenwright to her impactful work in regional theatre. As manager of the Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership, she created pathways for young people to thrive in the arts, with many going on to successful careers. Now at RYTC Creatives CIC and Give Get Go Education, Helen continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of theatre-makers and community leaders, offering invaluable opportunities for growth and professional development.