Five ready-to-personalise letter templates for SEN parents in England. For the moments when you need to put something in writing, and need it to land right.
"I've written a lot of letters to schools, GPs, and Local Authorities over the past few years. The ones that worked, the ones that didn't, and the ones I wish I'd sent differently. These templates are the distilled version: what I'd hand to any parent standing where I was standing."
When you're navigating the SEN system, knowing what to say is half the battle. Knowing how to put it in writing, formally and clearly without accidentally closing a door, is the other half.
I built these because I spent years writing letters I wasn't sure were right. Too apologetic. Too emotional. Phrases my daughter's SENCO told me later had made things harder, not easier. I wish someone had handed me a starting point.
This bundle gives you five letters, ready to personalise and send. Each one comes with a shaded HOW TO USE block at the top, a short explainer telling you when to use it, who it goes to, and what to expect afterwards. The body of the letter is in neutral, professional language, with coral italic placeholders showing you exactly which bits to swap for your own details.
For when your child needs a formal occupational therapy assessment and you need to ask the school, GP, or SENCO in writing. Covers the request and the reasons for it, without oversharing.
The formal letter requesting that the Local Authority carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. References s.36 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the statutory six-week response timeframe.
Asking school for sensory reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015. Includes structured sections for Classroom and Environment, Routine and Transitions, Sensory Tools, and Uniform. Pick the bits that apply, delete the rest.
A warm, collaborative one-pager that gets the teacher up to speed on your child before you sit down opposite them. Not a complaint letter. The one that gives a new teacher in September the same understanding the last one took until February to develop.
When agreed support isn't being provided and you need to put it on record. Structured with What Was Agreed, What Happened, Impact, and Requested Outcomes sections, and a clear escalation path including IPSEA and the First-tier Tribunal where appropriate.
These are templates, not legal advice. The SEND system is complex and varies between Local Authorities. For complex cases (tribunal appeals, refusals to assess, disputes about placement), please contact IPSEA or your local SENDIASS. Both are free, both have specialist knowledge I don't, and both are the right next step when the templates take you as far as they can.
Five editable letters, plus printable PDF versions, for £5.99.
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