Discussing your child's
needs with school
Our ten top tops when
communicating with school
1. Be Prepared
Before approaching the school, gather evidence of your child’s difficulties, including school reports, professional assessments, and any interventions that haven’t worked.
2. Know Your Rights
Schools do not have to request an EHCP on your behalf. As a parent, you have the legal right to request an EHCP assessment directly from the local authority.
3. Arrange a Meeting
Request a formal meeting with the school’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and, if possible, your child’s teacher. This ensures you have dedicated time to discuss concerns.
4. Stay Calm and Positive
Approach the conversation as a collaboration. Schools may be more receptive if they feel you want to work together rather than place blame.
5. Explain Why SEN Support is Not Enough
Schools must show that they have used all available resources before an EHCP is granted. Provide examples of where current support isn’t meeting your child’s needs
6. Use Specific Examples
Give clear examples of your child’s struggles, e.g., “He cannot follow instructions in class without one-to-one support,” rather than general statements like “He finds school difficult.”
7. Refer to the Legal Criteria
The law states an EHCP is for children who need special educational provision that is not normally available in a mainstream school. If your child needs a high level of support, highlight this.
8. Request School Input
Ask the school to provide evidence, such as learning assessments, behaviour records, or reports from external professionals.
9. Follow Up in Writing
After your meeting, send an email summarising the discussion and any agreed actions. This creates a paper trail and ensures accountability.
10. Be Persistent but Respectful
Some schools may be hesitant due to funding or workload concerns. If they are reluctant, you can still submit the request to the local authority yourself.
Template Email for Requesting a
Discussion with School
Subject: Request for a Meeting to Discuss EHCP for [Child’s Name]
Dear [SENCO’s Name/Headteacher’s Name],
I hope you are well. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss my concerns regarding my child, [Child’s Full Name], who is in [Year Group] at [School Name].
I believe that [Child’s Name] has significant special educational needs that require additional support beyond what is currently provided through SEN Support. I would like to explore whether an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment would be appropriate.
Over time, I have noticed that [briefly describe the key difficulties your child is facing, e.g., struggling to access the curriculum, difficulty with communication, sensory issues, anxiety]. While I appreciate the support already in place at school, I feel that more is needed to meet [Child’s Name]’s needs effectively.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you, including any evidence the school has regarding [Child’s Name]’s progress and challenges. Please let me know a convenient time for us to meet.
Thank you for your time and support. I look forward to working together to ensure [Child’s Name] receives the help they need.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
“Until you have a child with additional needs, you have no idea of the depth of your strength, tenacity and resourcefulness”
