SEN support

Schools and settings should develop a graduated response in identifying pupils who need additional support (6.45 - 6.56 of the SEND Code of Practice).

A graduated response is a cycle of:

• assessment
• planning
• doing and;
• reviewing actions

This is done to identify the best way of securing adequate progress for pupils. It is often referred to as the assess, plan, do and review cycle.

Where a pupil requires SEN support, settings are expected to:

• talk to parents regularly and;
• meet with them 3 times a year to review their child's progress

Progress meetings can be in line with other parent meetings but should review progress towards the child's outcomes set out in their Individual Support Plan/Individual Education Plan.

Reviews are important to consider the impact of support. If it is agreed that sufficient progress has been made by the child or young person, SEN support should continue with ongoing cycles of assessments through the graduated response.

If progress is not being made, support will be adapted and changed. Further assessment and support cycles will continue.

Suggested questions for parent carers to ask the school/setting

In the early stages of SEND being identified:

• is my child or young person making similar progress to their peers?
• are they meeting age-related expectations?
• my child has been put on the SEN register. What does that mean?
• what extra support do they need? When will that be put in place?
• what does extra support look like? How often and who will be delivering this?
• does my child have friends? Can they form relationships?
• how often will we meet to look at progress?
• what can I do to support at home?
• will my child be referred to outside agencies?
• what happens if this doesn't work?

When a child or young person has been on SEN Support for a while:

• is my child making progress with the support and interventions in place?
• can you show me some of their work?
• my child has been on SEN support for some time now and there has been little progress. What are the next steps?
• what extra support do they need? When will that be put in place?
• are there any outside agencies that can come in to do assessments or provide advice?
• can I see a timetable of when my child can access support and what the support looks like please?
• does my child need an Education, Health and Care Plan? If so, can you explain the process?
• what can I do to support at home?
• I am really struggling at home, but I think my child is masking at school. How can you help me?
• my child has coped really well in Primary school, but I don't think they will cope in Secondary - what should I do?

Support beyond SEN Support level

The needs of most children and young people with SEND will be met at SEN Support level. Where a child or young person has not made expected progress the school, parent carers or the young person can consider requesting a more formal assessment to to determine if special educational provision is required. This is called an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.