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Template letters you can copy and adapt, printable checklists, a plain-English SEND glossary, and links to trusted organisations. All completely free, no account needed.

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Template Letters

These are starting-point templates. Always fill in the details in square brackets before sending. For your specific situation, contact your local SENDIASS who can review your letter before you send it.

Requesting an EHC needs assessment (parent/carer)

Send this to the SEN Team at your local council by email. Keep a copy and note the exact date you sent it. The council must respond within 6 weeks.

Dear [Council name] SEN Team, I am writing under section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to formally request that [Council name] carries out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment for my child. Child's name: [Full name] Date of birth: [DOB] Current school: [School name and address] My child has the following special educational needs: [Describe your child's needs in specific terms: what they cannot do without support, how their difficulties affect their daily life and learning, and any diagnoses or professional involvement.] The following support has been tried and has not been sufficient to meet my child's needs: [List every intervention, programme or adjustment that has been in place, how long it ran, and what progress (if any) was made.] I am attaching copies of the following evidence: [List any reports: EP, CAMHS, speech therapy, paediatrics, school SEN records, etc.] I am requesting this assessment because I believe my child may have special educational needs that require special educational provision that cannot be provided through SEN Support alone. Please confirm receipt of this request and notify me of your decision within 6 weeks as required by regulation 3 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Your address] [Your email and phone number] [Date]
Requesting an EHC needs assessment (young person, 16+)

If you are 16 or over, you can make this request in your own name under section 36(7) of the Children and Families Act 2014. The council must treat it exactly the same as a parent's request.

Dear [Council name] SEN Team, I am writing under section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to formally request that [Council name] carries out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment for me. My name: [Full name] Date of birth: [DOB] Current school or college: [Name and address, or state if not currently in education] I have the following special educational needs and difficulties: [Describe your needs in specific terms: what you find difficult, how it affects your education and daily life, any diagnoses or professional involvement you have had.] The following support has been tried and has not been sufficient: [List interventions, support plans, therapies or adjustments that have been in place, and whether they made a difference.] I am attaching copies of the following: [List any reports or evidence you have from professionals.] I am requesting this assessment because I believe I have special educational needs that require specialist provision that cannot be adequately provided through the support I am currently receiving. Please confirm receipt of this request and provide your decision within 6 weeks as required by regulation 3 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Your address] [Your email and phone number] [Date]
Chasing a missed council deadline

Use this if the council has missed the 6-week deadline to respond to your EHCP assessment request. Send by email so there is a record.

Dear [Name of SEN contact if known, or 'SEN Team'], I am writing regarding my request for an EHC needs assessment for [child's name / my own name], submitted to you on [date of original request]. Your statutory deadline to issue a written decision on this request was [date: 6 weeks from receipt]. No decision has been received. You are currently in breach of regulation 3 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, which requires a decision within 6 weeks of the request. I ask that you issue your written decision within 5 working days of this email. If I do not receive a response, I will make a formal complaint to your complaints team and may refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Date] [Reference: EHCP request for (child's name), submitted (date)]
Requesting copies of SEN records from school

Schools must share SEN Support records with parents and carers. You are entitled to these under your data subject access rights (UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018) and under the SEND Code of Practice.

Dear [Headteacher / SENCO name], I am writing to formally request copies of all special educational needs records held by [school name] relating to my child [name], date of birth [DOB], currently in [year group]. Specifically, I am requesting: - All SEN Support plans - All assess-plan-do-review records - Any Individual Education Plans or similar planning documents - Copies of any reports by external professionals commissioned by or shared with the school (including Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, CAMHS, or any other professional) - Records of any SEN funding received in relation to my child - Any correspondence between school and the local authority about my child's SEN I am making this request under my rights as a parent under the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Please provide these documents within 15 school days. If any documents cannot be provided, please explain why in writing. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Date]
Requesting a SENCO meeting

Use this to request a formal meeting with your child's SENCO. Always follow up verbally with a written request so there is a clear record.

Dear [SENCO name / Headteacher], I am writing to formally request a meeting with the school SENCO to discuss my child [name]'s special educational needs and the support currently in place. I would like the meeting to cover: - My child's current SEN Support plan and the progress being made - What specific interventions are in place, who delivers them, and how often - The next assess-plan-do-review cycle and when it is due - My concerns about [briefly describe your specific concerns] I would like the meeting to be in the next two weeks if possible. Please suggest some dates and times that work for the SENCO. I would also ask that written notes are taken at the meeting and shared with me within five school days of the meeting. Yours sincerely, [Your full name] [Date] [Child's name and year group]
Disputing vague provision in Section F of an EHCP

Section F provision must be specific and quantified. Use this to challenge vague wording in the draft or final plan. This is a common issue and councils frequently amend plans when challenged directly.

Dear [Council SEN Team], I am writing in response to [child's name / my] EHC plan [dated / reference]. I have a concern regarding the provision set out in Section F. Specifically, I am concerned that the following provision is insufficiently specific and quantified: "[Quote the vague provision from the plan exactly]" Under section 37(4) of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the judgment in R (L) v Warwickshire County Council, special educational provision specified in Section F must be stated with sufficient precision to be enforceable. Provision such as "support as required", "access to a teaching assistant" or "opportunities for" is not legally sufficient. I request that the provision be amended to specify: - What the provision is (e.g. speech and language therapy, specialist teaching, therapeutic support) - Who will deliver it (qualified job title, not just "support staff") - How often it will be delivered (e.g. three sessions per week) - For how long each session (e.g. 45 minutes per session) - In what context (e.g. individual, small group, in class) My requested amendment: "[State your specific proposed wording]" Please confirm whether this change will be made and by when. Yours sincerely, [Your name] [Date]

Statutory Timeline (England)

These are the legal deadlines the council must meet under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Regulations 2014. Use the SEND Navigator to calculate your exact dates.

6 weeks
Decide whether to assess
From receipt of your request
6 weeks
Complete the assessment
From decision to assess
16 weeks
Send the draft EHCP
From original request date
20 weeks
Issue the final EHCP
The hard statutory deadline
15 days
Review your draft EHCP
Minimum time to comment
2 months
Register a Tribunal appeal
From mediation certificate
4 weeks
Council decision after annual review
Must amend, maintain or cease
12 months
Annual review must happen
Statutory duty (s.44 CFA 2014)

England only. Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Regulations 2014. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate frameworks.

SEND Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms you will encounter during the EHCP process.

EHCP / EHC Plan
Education, Health and Care Plan. A legal document issued by the local authority that sets out a child or young person's SEN, and the provision that must be made to meet them. It is legally binding on the council and the named school.
EHC Needs Assessment
The formal process of gathering professional advice before deciding whether to issue an EHCP. The council must seek advice from education, health and social care, as well as from the family and the young person.
SEN Support
The first tier of formal support in school. The school uses its own resources to assess, plan, do and review cycles of support. It comes before an EHCP is issued.
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Coordinator. The member of school staff responsible for coordinating SEN provision. Every maintained school must have a SENCO.
SENDIASS
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service. A free, impartial service available in every local authority area. They can advise families on all aspects of SEND law and the EHCP process.
Section F
The part of an EHCP that specifies the special educational provision to be made. Provision must be specific and quantified. Vague provision ("support as required") is unlawful and can be challenged.
Section B
The part of an EHCP that describes the child or young person's special educational needs. Every need in Section B must have a corresponding provision in Section F.
Section I
The part of an EHCP that names the school or educational setting. This is the section most commonly appealed at Tribunal. The council must name the parent or young person's preferred school unless specific statutory exceptions apply.
First-tier Tribunal (SEND)
The independent judicial body that hears appeals against council decisions about EHCPs. It is independent of the council. Families do not need a lawyer. In 2023-24, families won approximately 95% of cases that reached a full hearing.
Mediation
A free, voluntary process facilitated by an independent mediator. You must contact a mediation adviser before appealing to the Tribunal (though you do not have to mediate). The mediator cannot make binding decisions.
Annual Review
The statutory process by which an EHCP is formally reviewed at least once every 12 months. After the review, the council must decide within 4 weeks whether to maintain, amend or cease the plan.
Graduated Approach
The assess-plan-do-review cycle that schools must follow when providing SEN Support. It involves identifying needs, planning provision, implementing it, and reviewing its impact. Evidence of the graduated approach is required before an EHCP request.
SMART Outcomes
Outcomes set out in Section E of an EHCP should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Vague aspirations ("will make progress") are not acceptable.
Local Offer
Every local authority must publish a Local Offer: a description of the services, support and provision available for children and young people with SEND in their area. You can request it from your council.
CFA 2014
Children and Families Act 2014. The primary legislation governing the EHCP process, parental rights, local authority duties and the appeal system in England.
SEND Regulations 2014
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. These sit alongside the CFA 2014 and contain the statutory deadlines (6 weeks, 20 weeks, etc.) that councils must meet.

Free Social Stories

Social stories are short, structured narratives that help children understand social situations, new experiences and what to expect. These are free to print or save as PDF using your browser. Each story opens on its own page with a Print button at the top.

How to print or save as PDF: Open the story, click the Print / Save as PDF button at the top of the page, and choose "Save as PDF" in your printer options. Most modern browsers on any device support this. No software to install, no account needed.

Mamadou Starts a New School

For children moving to a new school following an EHCP placement decision, transition, or change in needs. Covers what to expect, that feelings are normal, and what to do if things feel hard.

Ages 5–11  |  10 pages

Open story (print-ready) →

Good Choices at School

Anya is learning to make kind, safe and helpful choices. A story about waiting, safe bodies, sharing and trying again. Part 2 of the Madjan's World series.

Ages 5–10  |  12 pages

Open story (print-ready) →

Making Friends at School

Small hellos, joining in, waiting for an answer and trying again — gentle friendship skills with Mamadou, Anya and Ben.

Ages 5–10  |  13 pages

Open story (print-ready) →

When School Feels Too Much

Big feelings, body clues, asking for help, taking a break and coming back slowly — a calm plan for overwhelming moments.

Ages 5–10  |  13 pages

Open story (print-ready) →

Meeting Someone New Who is Here to Help

For children attending an assessment with an educational psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist or other professional. Reduces anxiety about who the person is and what will happen.

Ages 5–12  |  10 pages

Open story (print-ready) →

More coming soon

We are working on more social stories, including: Waiting for something important, Going to the doctor, When my routine changes, and Transition to secondary school.

Sign up for the newsletter on the News & Blog page to be notified when new stories are added.

Trusted External Resources

These organisations offer free guides, model letters and advice for SEND families. We link only to free, publicly available resources.

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. Offers a free legal advice line, model letters, guides to the EHCP process and specific advice on tribunal appeals. The most authoritative free legal resource available to families.

Visit IPSEA (ipsea.org.uk) →

SOSSEN

Special Educational Needs Solutions. Free helpline and a wide range of guides on requesting assessments, challenging plans and navigating disputes with local authorities.

Visit SOSSEN (sossen.org.uk) →

Contact

Formerly Contact a Family. Free advice and resources for families of disabled children, covering benefits, SEND rights, transitions and family support.

Visit Contact (contact.org.uk) →

Council for Disabled Children

Policy and practice hub for SEND. Useful resources for families on the EHCP system, transitions and rights, including a dedicated young person section.

Visit CDC →

GOV.UK: Children with SEN

The official government guidance on SEND: requesting assessments, EHC plans, school support and appealing decisions. A reliable starting point for understanding the legal framework.

GOV.UK SEND pages →

National Deaf Children's Society

Free helpline and resources specifically for families of deaf children. Guides cover EHCP, school support, specialist provision and communication needs.

Visit NDCS (ndcs.org.uk) →

National Autistic Society

Free information on autism and education, including EHCP guides, school support and legal rights. Also covers autism-specific challenges in the SEND system.

Visit NAS (autism.org.uk) →

Young Minds

Focused on children and young people's mental health. Useful if SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs are part of your child's profile. Includes parent and young person guides.

Visit Young Minds →

Ambitious about Autism

Resources specifically for autistic young people and their families. Includes a youth section with information on rights, education and transitions for young autistic people.

Visit Ambitious about Autism →

Not sure where to start?

Every local authority in England has a free SENDIASS service. They can review your letters, advise on your next step, and attend meetings with you. Contact them before any major decision.

Find your local SENDIASS →

Also available: Local Support Directory for all regions of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.