Needs first. Plain English. Trauma aware.
Support without diagnosis
Support starts from needs and impact right now. Assessment runs in parallel. Diagnosis can help — but it should never be the gate to getting support.
Guidance only — Last updated: January 2026
This provides guidance based on established UK legislation and best practice. It is not medical diagnosis or legal advice. If there are immediate safety concerns, seek urgent help now.
This provides guidance based on established UK legislation and best practice. It is not medical diagnosis or legal advice. If there are immediate safety concerns, seek urgent help now.
Pick what you need today
School is blocking support
What schools must do without diagnosis. Meeting scripts. How to get specific dates and named people responsible.
What schools must do without diagnosis. Meeting scripts. How to get specific dates and named people responsible.
I need ready-to-send emails
Copy-paste scripts for schools, GPs, and follow-ups. Keep it calm, clear, action-focused.
Copy-paste scripts for schools, GPs, and follow-ups. Keep it calm, clear, action-focused.
I think it might be trauma or neuro
Thinking tool to organize patterns. Not diagnostic — helps you choose next steps sensibly.
Thinking tool to organize patterns. Not diagnostic — helps you choose next steps sensibly.
I want Right to Choose assessment
What it is, who can use it, how to ask GP, what to expect, and what to do if blocked.
What it is, who can use it, how to ask GP, what to expect, and what to do if blocked.
Support you can ask for without diagnosis
SEN Support
Assess-plan-do-review cycle with specific support, named person, clear review dates.
Assess-plan-do-review cycle with specific support, named person, clear review dates.
Reasonable adjustments
Preferred seating, visual timetables, breaks, task chunking, alternative methods.
Preferred seating, visual timetables, breaks, task chunking, alternative methods.
Pastoral support
Safe person, calm space, predictable routines, early warning of changes.
Safe person, calm space, predictable routines, early warning of changes.
Attendance support
Phased reintegration with clear steps — not fines while needs are being addressed.
Phased reintegration with clear steps — not fines while needs are being addressed.
Behaviour support
Identify triggers, teach regulation, adjust environment — not exclusion first.
Identify triggers, teach regulation, adjust environment — not exclusion first.
EHCP assessment
If needs are significant and school support isn't enough, build evidence and request assessment.
If needs are significant and school support isn't enough, build evidence and request assessment.
The one line that stops delays
"Please put support in place based on needs now, and review it regularly. Assessment can run alongside."
Use this when they say "we need a diagnosis first" or "wait and see". Bring it back to needs, impact, and review dates.