Working in partnership with families

Working in partnership with CYP and their families is essential to ensure everyone is working collaboratively towards the best outcomes for CYP.  

Settings "should enable parents to share their knowledge about their child and give them confidence that their views and contributions are valued and will be acted upon. At times, parents, teachers and others may have differing expectations of how a child's needs are best met. Sometimes these discussions can be challenging but it is in the child's best interests for a positive dialogue between parents, teachers and others to be maintained, to work through points of difference and establish what action is to be taken."
(Paragraph 1.7) SEND Code of Practice 2015

Expectations for all settings

The setting works in partnership with families to ensure they are supported and involved in discussions and decisions related to their CYP.

What this may include/ look like

• Families are aware of how they can communicate any information about their CYP and who they should contact.
• Settings discuss any concerns about a CYP's learning or progress with families at the earliest opportunity, and the views and experiences of families should always be taken seriously.
• Families are aware of the SEND status of their CYP and the support and interventions in place. They are involved in action planning, the setting of outcomes, and progress reviews at least three times per year.
• Settings develop guidance for families, including how to replicate and reinforce strategies at home and signposting to wider services for support.
• Families are included in decisions about the involvement of any professionals.
• Regular and open communication channels between the setting and home are in place, including:
  • The setting delivering sessions to families of CYP with additional needs, particularly around transitions.
  • Organising sessions for families led by external agencies and specialists.
  • The SEND information report (SIR) and SEND policy being made available to families by being accessible on the school website and reviewed annually.
• Families are signposted to the Local Offer, and this is referenced on the setting's website.
• Formal and informal events take place to seek views in relation to SEND provision in the setting (e.g. CYP and family surveys, coffee mornings, SEND family forums).