SEN review meetings with parents: guidance

Last reviewed on 4 May 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 11751

Be clear on the requirements and get guidance on how to run special educational needs (SEN) review meetings, including what to cover, who to invite and next steps. Download our record template so you can keep track of key points in the meeting.

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Contents

  1. Meet with parents at least 3 times a year
  2. Preparing for the meeting
  3. Holding the meeting
  4. Next steps after the meeting

Meet with parents at least 3 times a year

As a minimum, you must provide parents with an annual review of their child's progress and the current level of support.

However, where a pupil is receiving SEN support, the DfE recommends you meet parents at least termly and that you provide them with regular reports on their child’s progress.

You should work with parents to:

  • Set clear outcomes
  • Review the pupil's progress towards the outcomes
  • Discuss activities and support that will help the pupil to achieve the outcomes
  • Identify the responsibilities of the school, the parents and the pupil

This is set out on page 104 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice. 

Where possible, hold these meetings at parents' evenings

If parents aren’t initially willing to meet each term, you should stress

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