Ask for SEND support for your child at school

Use this guide if you think your child is struggling at nursery or school because of learning, communication, sensory, physical or emotional needs, whether or not they have a diagnosis. It covers England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different systems. Have notes of what you have noticed and any reports from health professionals.

Step by step

1. Write down what you are seeing

   Before contacting school, list specific examples: what happens, when, how often and how it affects learning, friendships or wellbeing, at home and at school. Add anything from health visitors, GPs, speech and language therapists or other professionals. Concrete examples carry far more weight than 'he is struggling', and this note becomes the start of your evidence file.