Questions To Ask SEN Experts

Questions to ask a medical professional

These medical professionals can include your health visitor, GP, paediatrician, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, education psychologist, and CAMHS:

• I’m concerned about my child’s development and overall well-being. Could they need additional support?
• How can I tell if my child’s development or behaviour is within a typical range?
• How do I know if my child may have special educational needs (SEN)?
• Should my child be assessed?
• What types of assessments are available?
• How do I access them?
• How long do they usually take?
• Are private assessments an option?
• What should I do once we receive the reports?
• What are the next steps to effectively support my child?
• How can we best support our child’s needs at home as a family?
• My child experiences high levels of anxiety. What is the expected waiting time for a CAMHS referral?

Questions for your child's education provider

Such as nursery workers, teachers, teaching assistants, learning support assistants, SENCO and SENDCO.

• Is my child meeting their learning targets?
• Are they making similar progress to their peers?
• Are they working at age-related expectations?
• How are they doing socially? Do they have friendships and form relationships?
• How do they respond to instructions in class or activities?
• What additional support do they need, and when will it be put in place?
• My child has been added to the SEN register. What does this mean in practice?
• Support has been put in place, but my child is still not progressing. What happens next?
• The SENCO has mentioned an EHC needs assessment. What does this involve?
• I’ve been advised not to apply for an EHCP, but I disagree. Can I apply independently?
• I’ve been told to consider a specialist school. Where can I find suitable options locally?
• What is a maintained school?
• My child has managed well in primary school, but I’m concerned about the move to secondary school. How can we prepare?

Questions to ask your local authority

Such as SENDIASS team, EHCP coordinator, SEND case worker, SEND case manager, and Director of Children’s Services (*terminology differs between local authorities)

• How do I apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?
• What does the application process involve?
• What is my role as a parent or carer during this process?
• How long does the process usually take?
• What does the “local offer” include?
• Can I consider schools outside my local authority area?
• What should I do if I disagree with information in the EHCP?
• What if I disagree with the school named in the EHCP? Can I request a different one?
• Is a school required to accept my child once named in the EHCP?
• If I feel the named school cannot meet my child’s needs, how can I challenge the decision?
• My child’s needs have changed. How do I request amendments to the EHCP?
• How often are EHCPs reviewed, and who is responsible for organising reviews?

Questions to ask other professionals

Other professionals could include your social worker, case worker, key worker, early help/early intervention, multi-agency team, and children’s services:

• What additional support is available for my child and family, and how do we access it?
• Is there support available for other family members, such as siblings?
• My child struggles after school and often has meltdowns. How can we manage this at home?
• How do we respond when our child becomes dysregulated or lashes out?
• I’m concerned about my child’s vulnerability. Where can I get advice on keeping them safe?
• Is residential care ever considered, and under what circumstances?