SEND School Communication Kit

Talking to school about your child's needs can feel like hard work. You're not sure what to say, you're worried about getting it wrong, and things you thought were agreed quietly don't happen.

This kit gives you a system for all of it. It's built around four simple steps, the PACT method: prepare what you want to say, ask for it in writing, chase when you need to, and keep a record of what was agreed.

You get four ready-to-use email templates for the conversations that matter most: requesting SEN support, requesting an EHC needs assessment, raising a formal concern, and following up when you've heard nothing back. Each one tells you who to send it to, what to include, and what to do next. You write your details once, then copy the text into your own email.

There's more than the emails. A meeting prep sheet so you walk in clear on your two or three priorities. A note-taking page for during the meeting. A communication log that becomes your written record if things escalate. An EHCP tracker to check the provision in the plan is actually being delivered. An annual review prep sheet. And a quick-reference guide to your rights, the statutory timelines, and who to contact when things stall.

The tone is calm and factual throughout, because that's what works. Dates and facts carry more weight than frustration.

You don't need to be an expert and you don't need to read it all at once. Got a meeting coming up? Start with the prep sheet. Need to write to school? Pick the email that fits. Just starting out? Fill in your child's profile page first.

It's for parents and carers of children with SEND in England, at SEN Support or with an EHCP, whether this is new or you've been at it for years.

What's included

A 12-page printable PDF.

• My Child's SEND Profile. A one-page snapshot of needs, contacts and what helps, to keep your details to hand
• Meeting Prep Template. Your concerns, what you want to happen, and your questions, sorted before you walk in
• During the Meeting notes page. Capture what's said and agreed in the room
• Communication Log. A record of every call, email and meeting, who said what and what happens next
• EHCP Tracker. Track goals, provision, progress and gaps each term, and check the plan is being delivered
• Annual Review Prep Sheet. Know what's working and what you want to change before the review
• Four email templates: SEN support request, EHC needs assessment request, formal concern and escalation, and follow-up and chasing
• Quick Reference Guide. Your rights, the key timelines, and who to contact when things aren't moving

Print the whole kit and reprint any page as often as you need.

Who it's for

• Parents and carers of children with SEND in England
• Parents at the SEN Support stage and parents with an EHCP in place
• Parents preparing for a meeting, an annual review or a difficult email
• Parents who want a written record and a clear next step
• Anyone who feels they're going in circles with school and wants to feel organised

Whether this is all new or you've been navigating SEND for years, the kit gives you a clear system to work from.

Why parents use it

• A complete system, not one-off templates: prepare, ask, chase, track
• Four ready-to-use emails for the conversations that matter most
• Builds a written record that protects you if things escalate
• Calm, factual wording that tends to get better responses
• A plain-English guide to your rights and the statutory timelines
• Points you to free support: SENDIASS, IPSEA and the Local Government Ombudsman
• Printable and reusable, yours to keep

Important

This kit helps you organise your thoughts and communications. It is not legal advice and does not replace guidance from a qualified SEND solicitor, IPSEA or your local SENDIASS. It's based on general guidance about the SEND system in England and was accurate at the time of publication. Always seek independent advice if your situation involves a tribunal appeal, a formal complaint or a dispute with your local authority.

FAQ

Do I need an EHCP to use this? No. The kit works at the SEN Support stage and with an EHCP in place. If your child has SEND and you're dealing with school, it's for you.

What are the four email templates for? Requesting SEN support, requesting an EHC needs assessment, raising a formal concern, and following up when you've had no reply. You fill in your details, then copy the text into your own email.

Is this legal advice? No. It's a tool for organising your communications, based on general guidance about the SEND system in England. For advice specific to your situation, it points you to SENDIASS and IPSEA, both free.

I've never done this before. Where do I start? Fill in your child's profile page, then use whichever tool fits your next step: the meeting prep sheet, an email template, or the communication log. You only need a clear next step, not the whole picture.

What format is it and can I print it? A 12-page printable PDF. Print the whole kit or just the pages you need, and reprint any page as often as you like.

Refund note

Because this is an instant download, it can't be returned once accessed.