SEN parent meeting template
Where a pupil is receiving SEN support, the SEND Code of Practice expects the school to meet the parents at least three times a year. Use this pack to prepare the meeting, gather the family's and the pupil's views, and record what you agree. Give the parents a copy of the record.
- How often
- Meet parents at least three times a year
- Who leads
- A teacher who knows the pupil well, usually the class teacher or form tutor, supported by the SENCO
- Time
- Longer than most parent-teacher meetings
- Afterwards
- Keep a record, share it with the right staff and give it to the parents
Before the meeting
- If SEN support is starting, make sure the parents have been formally notified that special educational provision is being made.SEND Code of Practice 6.48
- Arrange for the meeting to be led by a teacher with good knowledge of the pupil — usually the class teacher or form tutor — supported by the SENCO.SEND Code of Practice 6.67
- Allow enough time. These meetings will be longer than most parent-teacher meetings.SEND Code of Practice 6.69
- Plan how you will include the pupil's views: in all or part of the meeting, or gathered beforehand.SEND Code of Practice 6.70
- Send the family the questions below in advance, so they can think about them.Good practice — not a legal requirement
The family's views
Questions for the parents or carers. They can fill this in before the meeting or talk it through on the day.
What is going well
- What is going well at home, and at school from what you see and hear?
What is hard
- What is hard for your child at the moment, at home or at school?
- Have their needs changed outside school?
What helps
- What helps your child, at home or elsewhere, that school could use too?
Hopes
- What are your hopes for your child this term and this year?
Anything else
- Is there anything else you want the school to know?
The pupil's views
In the pupil's own words, with any support they need to give them.
What I like and am good at
- What do you enjoy at school? What are you good at?
What I find hard
- What is hard at school?
What helps me
- What helps you when something is hard?
What I would like to change
- Is there anything you would like to be different?
In the meeting
- Set clear outcomes, and review progress towards the outcomes already agreed.SEND Code of Practice 6.65
- Discuss the activities and support that will help achieve them.SEND Code of Practice 6.65
- Agree what the parent, the pupil and the school will each do.SEND Code of Practice 6.65
- Give the parent the chance to share their concerns and, with the teacher, agree aspirations for the pupil.SEND Code of Practice 6.67
- Ask about the impact of support outside school, and any changes in the pupil's needs.SEND Code of Practice 6.66
- Agree a clear date to review progress.SEND Code of Practice 6.43
Record of the meeting
Fill this in at the meeting and give a copy to the parents.
Who attended, and the date
- Names and roles, and the date of the meeting.
Outcomes agreed
- What the pupil, family and school are working towards.
Actions and support
- The support and activities agreed, and who will do what — parent, pupil and school.
Review date
- When progress will next be reviewed.
After the meeting
- Keep a record of the outcomes, action and support agreed, and share it with the appropriate school staff.SEND Code of Practice 6.71
- Give the record to the pupil's parents.SEND Code of Practice 6.71
- Update the school's management information system.SEND Code of Practice 6.71
- Remember the school must also provide an annual report for parents on their child's progress.SEND Code of Practice 6.64
- If the family's views will inform an EHC needs assessment or plan, the local authority must have regard to the views, wishes and feelings of the child and their parents.Children and Families Act 2014, s.19
Sources
- SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years (DfE and DHSC, 2015) — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
- Children and Families Act 2014, section 19 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/section/19
In Striova's SENCO portal you can ask a family for their views by a link before each review — whether or not they use Striova — and keep their answers, in their own words, with the pupil's record.
General information about the SEND system in England, not legal advice, and not advice about provision for any individual pupil. Read each step alongside the source it cites. Prepared by QuoVira Health Ltd (Striova), October 2026.