Needs first. Plain English. Trauma aware.

Templates & downloads

Templates only — adapt to your situation | Last updated: January 2026
These are starting points. Adapt wording to match your specific needs.

Emails Logs Checklists

Email templates

1. Initial request for support

Subject: Request for SEN Support and reasonable adjustments

Dear [SENCO/Headteacher],

I'm requesting SEN Support and reasonable adjustments for [Child's name, Year].

Support should be based on needs and measurable impact now. Assessment can run alongside.

Key needs and impact:
— [Need 1] → [specific impact] (frequency: [how often])
— [Need 2] → [specific impact] (frequency: [how often])

Please confirm in writing:
1) What support starts immediately and start date
2) Who is responsible (name and role)
3) Review date (specific calendar date)
4) How we'll measure if it's helping

I can provide more examples and would like to arrange a meeting.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

2. Follow-up after no response

Subject: Follow-up: Request for SEN Support (sent [date])

Dear [Name],

I'm following up on my email sent [date] requesting SEN Support for [Child's name].

I have not received confirmation that support is being put in place.

Needs are continuing to impact education and wellbeing. This requires urgent attention.

Please confirm by [date - 5 working days]:
1) You received my request
2) What support will start immediately
3) A meeting date to discuss next steps

If I don't receive a response, I will escalate this formally.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

3. After meeting — confirming actions

Subject: Confirming our meeting on [date]

Dear [Name],

Thank you for meeting on [date]. This confirms what we agreed:

Needs: [Need 1] | [Need 2]

Support starting:
— [Support] - responsible: [name, role] - start: [date]
— [Support] - responsible: [name, role] - start: [date]

Review:
— Date: [specific calendar date]
— Measuring: [specific observable outcomes]

If anything is inaccurate, please reply within 48 hours.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

4. Attendance — request reintegration plan

Subject: Request for reintegration plan

Dear [Name],

I'm writing regarding [Child's name]'s attendance, which is being affected by barriers in school.

Issues affecting attendance:
— [Issue 1 and impact]
— [Issue 2 and impact]

I'm requesting a written reintegration plan that focuses on removing barriers and providing support.

Please confirm:
1) Plan start point and clear steps to increase attendance gradually
2) What support/adjustments during each phase
3) Who is responsible
4) Review dates (specific calendar dates)

Attendance issues are often access issues. I want to work with you to address barriers.

Kind regards,
[Your name]

5. Formal complaint — failure to provide support

Subject: Formal complaint — failure to provide SEN Support

Dear [Headteacher/Chair of Governors],

I am making a formal complaint under the school's complaints procedure regarding failure to provide appropriate SEN Support for [Child's name, Year].

Timeline:
— [Date]: Initial request sent
— [Date]: Follow-up sent with no response
— [Date]: Meeting held, commitments made
— [Date]: No support implemented despite written commitments

Current situation:
[Brief description of impact and lack of support]

I am requesting:
1) Immediate implementation of previously agreed support
2) Written explanation for why support has not been provided
3) Compensation plan for missed support
4) Clear timeline with accountability

I expect a response within [10 working days per your policy].

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Evidence logs

Needs & impact log

Date & time:
Setting (home/school/community):
What happened (facts only):

Trigger or lead-up (if known):

Impact (learning/safety/emotional/physical):

Duration:
Recovery time:
What helped:
What made it worse:
Notes / follow-up:

School communication log

Date:
Method (email/phone/meeting):
Who I contacted:
What I requested:

Response received (date):
What they said:

Action taken:
Follow-up needed (date):
Notes:

Checklists

Before school meeting

✓ 2–3 needs with clear descriptions
✓ 2 examples for each need
✓ Evidence log entries prepared
✓ 2–4 specific adjustments to request
✓ Questions prepared
✓ Notebook for notes
✓ Follow-up email template ready

After meeting — what to check

✓ Specific support agreed (not vague "monitoring")
✓ Named person responsible
✓ Start dates confirmed
✓ Review date in calendar
✓ How success will be measured
✓ Confirmation email sent within 24 hours

Right to Choose checklist

✓ 3–5 examples of needs and impact
✓ Researched current RTC providers
✓ Checked ICB website
✓ GP script prepared
✓ School support requested in parallel
✓ Follow-up plan if no response

School duties Myth buster Hub

Templates & downloads

Email templates

Evidence logs

Checklists

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