Meetings, SENCO/ALNCo/support staff, written plans and reviews
Practical ways to make school-family communication clearer and more effective.
Working with School
Families often see difficulties that are not obvious in class, while school has evidence from learning and peer environments. Good planning brings both together and includes the child or young person.
Before a meeting
- Write your main concerns
- List what is already working
- Bring examples and records
- Ask for relevant school data
- Decide what outcomes you want
During the meeting
- Ask what staff are observing
- Agree specific support
- Identify who is responsible
- Set a review date
- Include the pupil's views
A short email confirming what was agreed creates a useful record and reduces later confusion.
Questions worth asking
- What need has school identified?
- What support is being delivered and how often?
- What happens on difficult days?
- How is progress measured?
- What will trigger specialist input or a statutory assessment request?
- How will staff know about agreed adjustments?
Support across the UK
Education systems differ across the four nations. Use the route for where the child is educated.
England
SEN Support and EHCPs operate under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice.
Wales
Wales uses the Additional Learning Needs system and Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
Scotland
Scotland uses Additional Support for Learning and may use plans including Co-ordinated Support Plans where legal criteria are met.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland uses its SEN framework, Education Authority support and Statements of Special Educational Needs.
Right First Time UK — Information Notice
Right First Time UK provides general information, awareness resources and signposting. We are not a school, local authority, NHS diagnostic service, tribunal, law firm or regulated advice service.
Education law and terminology differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check the official source for the country where the child is educated.