Choosing a school with SEND support
What families ask when researching SEND provision — from everyday support and inclusion to EHCPs and settling in.
Understanding provision
Schools support special educational needs and disabilities in different ways. Read the school's SEND information report to understand the help available and who coordinates it.
Questions worth asking
Ask how the school identifies needs, how support is reviewed, and how it works with families and outside specialists. Anonymised community insights on SEND can add helpful context from other parents.
EHCPs and settling in
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, ask how the school meets the provision it sets out and how new pupils are helped to settle. A calm transition matters as much as the paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a school with good SEND support?
Read each school's SEND information report, ask how needs are identified and reviewed, and combine this with community insights and a visit to understand inclusion in practice.
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan sets out the support a child with significant needs should receive. Ask prospective schools how they would meet the provision it describes.
Keep researching
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