SEN Support & School meetings
The SEN code of practice states that schools should:
…use their best endeavours to make sure that a child with SEN gets the support they need – this means doing everything they can to meet children and young people’s SEN (6.2)
What is SEN support?
All mainstream schools receive money for special educational needs support and resources. Schools can decide how to spend this money. This is called “delegated” funding because it is given (delegated) to schools by local authorities or the Education Funding Agency from money they receive from central government. The SEN part of the school’s income is sometimes called the “notional” SEN budget because it is not based on the school’s actual numbers of pupils with special needs.
Schools should use some of their budget to buy resources and make provision for children who need additional help. This can take many forms. For example, children with SEN might need changes to the curriculum, special equipment or teaching materials, the use of additional information technology, small group work · support in the classroom.
Different schools have different ways of reviewing a child’s progress, i.e. IEP’s (Individual Education Plans), ‘My Plan’. If you do not have significant concerns, it may be something you can discuss briefly, as part of a regular parents evening; if you are happy with this, there is no problem. However, if there are concerns, which cannot be dealt with in this easily, a separate meeting may be requested either by school, or by the parent/carer.
Our information is intended to help you feel more confident and prepared to discuss your child’s progress at school. However, if you need any further help, please do not hesitate to contact us: - Ealing SENDIASS 0203 886 2062 or info@ealingsendiass.org.uk
Asking for a meeting
The SEN Information Report on the school’s website tells you more about the arrangements for SEN support and how to contact the SENCO.
When asking for a meeting, it is worth thinking about who needs to be present. Usually it would be the schools SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator). You may also want to ask if any support staff or outside professionals working with your child can be present. However, bear in mind that the more people you ask for at a meeting, the longer it can take to be given a date when everyone is available to attend; so consider whether some people could be consulted in different ways (for example: can they submit a report before the meeting, or can they be consulted afterwards)
You can verbally request a meeting; however, it is sometimes better to send a letter or email to school, addressed to the SENCo (example letter below)
Example Letter/email
Dear (name of SENCo) (Date)
I am concerned about (child’s name, date of birth and school year) as (he/she) (does not appear to be making progress at school/is struggling with …..)
Therefore, I would like a meeting to discuss this and to review (his/her) progress. I would like (his/her) class teacher to be present, as well as (e.g. the teaching assistant/SISS worker etc)
I would particularly like to discuss the following :( examples include.
The levels he/she is currently working at. Is he/she at the expected level for their age?
He/she appears to have fallen back in some of his levels.
What additional help is he/she receiving in school?
Is there any further help that can be given?
Do you think we need to consider statutory assessment?)
I look forward to hearing from you regarding a date and time for this meeting. You can contact me on (contact telephone numbers)
Yours sincerely (your name)
Remember, the help your child needs to progress is likely to be a mixture of what can be provided at school and some extra things that may need to be done at home. So be prepared to 'work together' to obtain the best outcomes for your child.
Your child’s views are essential to finding successful outcomes. Your child should also be involved in the meeting; they should be given every opportunity to have a voice, to share ‘what is happening to them’ & what they feel is ‘helpful’. However, they may need your help, help from Ealing SENDIASS or an advocate to be able to participate.
The best outcomes for a child with additional needs always come from a joint working relationship between school, parents, other services, by working with & including ‘the child’.
What next?
Whatever is decided at the meeting needs to be transferred into actions and targets. It should be clear what the targets are, how these are going to be achieved and when it will be reviewed. Where possible these targets should be shared with your child.
A child’s progress plan should be:
Focused on your child’s needs and priorities
Shared with the child (as appropriate to their level of understanding)
Distributed to all relevant staff & parents/carers
Reviewed at least 3x a year (termly is ideal) to discuss whether the targets have been met & to set new targets.
A good plan should include:
3 or 4 short term targets for your child
Teaching strategies
Support to be given
The provision to be put in place l Expected outcomes
A review date
If school can show that progress is being made, this will hopefully reassure you, although you may wish to discuss how this is being monitored.
NOTE: You may want to note down what is agreed at the meeting. It will act as a useful reminder for you to check later when you receive the plan to make sure it has all been included.
What new aims/targets were agreed?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What have school agreed to do?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What have other services agreed to do?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What have I agreed to do?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next review date will be:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What If I am not happy with the outcome of the meeting?
Whatever the problem is, there is usually a way forward.
For example, if school are genuinely offering all the support at their disposal and it is evident that your child still isn’t making adequate progress, you may need to discuss the possibility of a Education, Health & Care (EHC) assessment (ask us for a copy of’ EHC Needs Assessment’)
If you are not happy with the way the school has treated you, they will have their own complaints procedure, which you should follow.