Definition of the target group(s)

Support within mainstream education

Generally, children with special needs, wherever possible, receive the necessary support and teaching aids to stay in mainstream education instead of being referred to a special education school offer.

Pupils who need support for less than nine hours a week are not covered by the regulation on special needs education. Instead, they receive support as a supplement to the general teaching in mainstream education.

Special needs education

Pupils whose development requires support for at least nine hours a week can receive special needs education and special educational assistance in the normal classes in mainstream education, in special classes or in special schools. Referral to special needs education is based on the individual pupil’s needs. 

Special needs education is mainly provided as support within mainstream education. In the assessment of whether the pupil should receive the support in mainstream education or not, it is emphasised whether the pupil benefits from the instruction and can participate actively in the social community in mainstream education.

Referral to special needs education outside mainstream education presumes that it would be most suitable to teach the pupil in a special class or special school, for instance because of the pupil’s psychological, physical, linguistic or sensory impairments.

The special needs assistance can be organised in three different ways:

1. The pupil maintains his/her affiliation with the mainstream class and participate in the mainstream instruction;

2. The pupil’s affiliation with his/her mainstream class discontinues as all of the instruction is provided in a special class;

3. The pupil has an affiliation with a special class but he/she also receives instruction in a mainstream class.

The individual pupil’s needs are decisive for which organisation form is chosen.

Specific support measures

Support within mainstream education

If pupils need less than nine hours of support a week, they receive support as a supplement to the general teaching in mainstream education. Municipalities and schools offer support for pupils in mainstream education and organise the instruction in a way that supports the inclusion of pupils with special needs in mainstream education.

Among other things, they can use mixed ability grouping, group work, dual teacher arrangements and teaching assistants. Pupils who need support and who cannot be supported solely through the use of group work and mixed ability grouping must be offered supplemental instruction.

Special needs education

If pupils need at least nine hours of support a week in mainstream education, they are entitled to special needs education and assistance. This encompasses:

• Counselling for parents, teachers, and others with significant impact on the pupil’s development;

• Special teaching materials and technical equipment that are necessary for the instruction of the pupil;

• Instruction that is organised according to the pupil’s prerequisites for learning;

• Instruction and training in working methods that can help the pupil overcome his/her psychological, physical, linguistic or sensory impairments;

• Personal assistance for pupils with a physical impairment that can help them overcome practical difficulties when attending school;

• Specially organised activities. 

References

Bibliography

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025a: Rules for inclusion (Regler om inklusion). [Accessed 26 November 2025]

Ministry of Children and Education (Børne- og Undervisningsministeriet), 2025b: Rules for special needs education (Regler for specialundervisning). [Accessed 26 November 2025]

Legislation and official policy document

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2014: Ministerial Order on the Folkeskole’s Special Needs Education and other Special Needs Assistance (Bekendtgørelse om folkeskolens specialundervisning og anden specialpædagogisk bistand), BEK no. 693 of 20/06/2014. [Accessed 21 July 2025]

Legal Information (Retsinformation), 2025: Act on the Folkeskole (Bekendtgørelse af lov om folkeskolen), LBK no. 1100 of 05/09/2025. [Accessed 26 November 2025]