As the new school year approaches, many parents and carers find themselves wondering who to contact when questions or concerns arise. Whether the issue relates to SEND support, attendance, wellbeing, school transport or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), knowing who can help can make it easier to get the information and support you need.
For many day-to-day matters, your child’s class teacher, form tutor or subject teachers are usually the best place to start. They work with your child regularly and are often well placed to discuss progress, classroom experiences and any concerns you may have. Raising questions early can often help to resolve issues before they become more significant.
If your child has special educational needs or disabilities, it is also helpful to know who the school’s SENCo(Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is. The SENCo oversees the school’s arrangements for supporting pupils with SEND and works with staff, parents, carers and, where appropriate, external professionals. They can often help explain how support is being provided, monitored and reviewed.
Schools may also have pastoral teams, attendance officers, safeguarding staff or other specialist roles. Depending on the issue, these staff members may be best placed to help. For example, concerns about attendance, emotional wellbeing, friendships or support during the school day may be managed by teams who focus specifically on pupil welfare and inclusion.
Some matters sit outside the school’s responsibilities. School transport, Education, Health and Care Plan assessments, annual reviews and many statutory SEND processes involve the local authority. It can sometimes be difficult to know which organisation is responsible for a particular issue, and this can leave families unsure where to begin.
If you’re not sure who to speak to, SENDiass4BCP can help. SENDiass4BCP provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with SEND and to their parents and carers. We can help you understand processes, explore your options, identify the most appropriate person to contact and feel more confident in navigating the SEND system. Sometimes knowing who can help is the most important first step, and you do not have to work it out alone.
