How to write a one-page SEND case summary

Explain the current picture first

Begin with the child’s age or education stage, current setting or arrangements, and whether there is an assessment request, draft EHCP or final plan. Use only the personal details the intended recipient genuinely needs.

Describe the problem today before giving the history. ‘Attending two mornings a week and missing the rest’ is more informative than ‘School has been difficult for years’. If the picture varies, say so rather than presenting one difficult day as typical.

Choose three priorities

Group your concerns into a few practical priorities, such as access to learning, communication support or distress around attendance. For each, explain what you observe, the impact and the support that appears to help.

A summary should not become a list of every disagreement. Include strengths and successes as well as difficulties. Something that works well may be important evidence about the conditions your child needs.

• Current needs and strengths
• What support is in place
• What is working and what is missing
• Your child’s views
• The next decision and any important dates

Link each point to evidence

Use a short reference such as ‘speech and language report, 8 September, page 4’ or ‘attendance record, autumn term’. This lets the reader locate the detail without filling the page with quotations.

Distinguish a professional recommendation from your observation and from something another person told you. If evidence is old or a recommendation has not been updated, state that clearly. Do not describe an opinion as an established diagnosis.

Show what has already been tried

Name the support or adjustments, when they were used and what happened. ‘Quiet arrival offered for two weeks; attendance increased but afternoon distress continued’ shows a more useful picture than simply saying an adjustment failed.

If you do not know whether a particular intervention happened, write ‘not confirmed’ and identify what information you need. Gaps can be recorded honestly without making assumptions about someone’s motives.

Finish with a clear request

End with the question or action you want the reader to consider. That might be explaining a letter, reviewing a section of a plan or identifying missing evidence. Keep it proportionate to the purpose of the meeting or support service.

Date the summary and update it when circumstances change. Keep the full records separately. If a form requires particular information, use its instructions: your summary does not replace a required submission or give you extra time to respond.