Your SEND Information Report isn’t just a document to meet a legal requirement. It’s an opportunity to clearly show how your school supports children with special educational needs and disabilities. It gives families a first look at how their child might be cared for, taught, and encouraged at your school.

Many schools fall into the trap of publishing a long, text-heavy PDF that’s full of jargon. But if your SEND Information Report is hard to understand or tucked away, it’s not doing its job. This guide will walk you through exactly what needs to be included and how to present it in a way that’s both compliant and helpful.

What is the SEND Information Report?

The SEND Information Report is a statutory requirement for all maintained schools and academies. It must be:

1. Published on your website
2. Reviewed and updated annually, or sooner if changes occur
3. Written in an accessible format for parents and carers
4. Compliant with section 69 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Regulations 2014

It must include details outlined in paragraphs 6.79–6.82 of the SEND Code of Practice.

What Must Be Included in Your SEND Information Report?

Below is a breakdown of the key areas that your report must cover:

1. The kinds of SEND provided for at your school

Make it clear which types of needs your school is equipped to support (e.g. communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, sensory and/or physical needs).

2. How SEND is identified and assessed

Explain how your school identifies that a pupil has SEND, what the assessment process looks like, and how this is discussed with families.

3. The arrangements for consulting and involving parents

Describe how parents are included in decisions about SEND provision for their child. This could include meetings, reviews, and other regular communication.

4. The arrangements for consulting young people with SEND

Show how pupils themselves are given a voice in planning their support. For example, through review meetings or pupil passports.

5. How the curriculum and learning environment are adapted

Give examples of strategies or adjustments your school uses to support access to the curriculum. This might include assistive technology, modified tasks, or additional adult support.

6. Staff expertise and training

Outline the qualifications and experience of your SENDCo and other staff. Include how staff are trained to support SEND pupils.

7. Evaluating the effectiveness of SEND provision

Explain how your school checks that interventions are working. Mention data, regular reviews, and how families are informed.

8. Support for emotional and social development

Describe how you support wellbeing. This might include counselling, pastoral support, anti-bullying strategies, or nurture groups.

9. Involvement of outside agencies

Mention any external support services your school works with (e.g. speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, CAMHS).

10. Arrangements for handling complaints

Include a clear, accessible summary of how parents can raise concerns.

11. Transition support

Talk about how your school supports SEND pupils moving between phases of education (e.g. starting school, moving up year groups, or preparing for secondary school).

12. Contact details for your SENDCo

Include their name, how to contact them, and their availability.

13. The Local Offer

Link to your local authority’s Local Offer and briefly explain what it is.

Presentation Matters

Even if your SEND Information Report includes everything it should, if it’s hard to read, it won’t be useful. Here are some practical tips:

1. Avoid uploading a scanned document or inaccessible PDF
2. Make the content available as a web page as well as a downloadable file
3. Use headings, bullet points, and clear section titles
4. Write in plain English – parents shouldn’t need a dictionary to understand the support available
5. Make sure it’s easy to find from your SEND or Inclusion page

A Note on Tone

Your SEND Information Report should sound like your school. It should reflect your values and show that you genuinely care about each child’s success and happiness. It’s a legal document, yes, but it’s also a reflection of your ethos.

Final Checklist for Schools

1/ Publish on your website in a prominent, accessible place

2/ Review and update annually (or sooner if there are changes)

3/ Include all required sections from the SEND Code of Practice

4/ Use language that is welcoming, supportive and jargon-free

5/ Link to the Local Offer and provide SENDCo contact details

Need Help?

If you’re not sure whether your current SEND Information Report is up to scratch, we can help.

Book a place at our next free School Website Compliance Workshop

Visit schudio.com/school-website-requirements to learn more or drop us a line directly.