Schools must publish information on their websites about their policy for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This includes mainstream schools, nurseries, and academy schools.
The information is also known as the SEND information report. It must be updated every year. Any changes to the information occurring during the year should be updated as soon as possible.
Schools should make sure that the report:
- is easily accessible by young people and parents
- is set out in clear, straightforward language
- gives details of the school's contribution to the Local Offer
- includes information on where the council's Local Offer is published
Section 6.79 of the SEND Code of Practice (2015) – GOV.UK details what must be included in the SEND information report.
Schools must set out:
- the kinds of SEND that are provided for
- policies for identifying children and young people with SEND and assessing their needs, including the name and contact details of the SENCO (mainstream schools)
- arrangements for consulting parents of children with SEND and involving them in their child's education
- arrangements for consulting young people with SEND and involving them in their education
- arrangements for assessing and reviewing children and young people’s progress towards outcomes; which should include the opportunities available to work with parents and young people as part of this assessment and review
- arrangements for supporting children and young people in moving between phases of education and in preparing for adulthood, as young people prepare for adulthood outcomes should reflect their ambitions, which could include higher education, employment, independent living and participation in society
- the approach to teaching children and young people with SEND
- how adaptations are made to the curriculum and the learning environment of children and young people with SEND
- the expertise and training of staff to support children and young people with SEND, including how specialist expertise will be secured
- evaluating the effectiveness of the provision made for children and young people with SEND
- how children and young people with SEND are enabled to engage in activities available with children and young people in the school who do not have SEND
- support for improving emotional and social development. This should include extra pastoral support arrangements for listening to the views of children and young people with SEND and measures to prevent bullying
Involving other organisations
The school must also set out how to involve other organisations in meeting children and young people's SEND and supporting their families, including:
- health and social care bodies
- council support services
- voluntary sector organisations
Complaints
Schools must also set out arrangements for handling complaints from parents of children with SEND about the provision made at the school
The above should include arrangements for supporting children and young people who are looked after by the council and have SEND.