The school might even contact you first if they think your child could use some extra support.
Typically, you'll meet to discuss any concerns and the way forward.
Before meeting the school you might want to...
...gather examples showing your child's difficulties. That could include:
- school work and homework, school reports, test results
- details of support they may have had at a previous school.
...write a list of your concerns. That might cover:
- school work and behaviour at school
- concentration, physical skills, relationships
- behaviour and mood at home.
...write down any questions. For example:
- What assessments have the school done to find out about my child's difficulties?
- What extra help does my child get?
- How do you measure my child's progress? Is he/she making the progress you'd expect?
- What can I do at home to help my child?
...check the school's SEND Local Offer – the school or education provider's SEN provision information, reports and/or policies should be on their website.
The school or education provider will assess your child's needs to determine the best SEN support available.
Create an SEN support plan
The SENCO will work with you to identify your child's needs and create a support plan. That includes what goals your child will work towards, who will work with your child and exactly how the school will support.
You should get a copy of the plan in writing.
If the school or education provider needs additional help to support your child, they can request support from specialist education and health services, for example, educational psychology or speech and language therapy.
School puts the plan into action
Your child’s teacher will often work with teaching assistants or specialist staff to put the plan into action. Everyone working with your child should be made aware of their needs and the plan's aims.
Review progress
You'll agree when to review your child's progress against the plan. You should meet at least 3 times a year (in addition to parents evenings).
The school or education provider should provide a progress report every year.
Next steps
If your child hasn't made reasonable progress, or you're unhappy with the support, it'll be important to agree what should happen next.
Sometimes it helps to involve other professionals in further assessment.
Your child’s needs might have changed or the support needs to change.
If your child's needs can't be met by SEN support, the next step might be to seek an education, health and care needs assessment. That will identify whether an education, health and care plan is required.
More about Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
You might hear this 'assess, plan, do, review' process referred to as the 'graduated approach'.