What happens in a SEN support meeting, and how do I follow it up?

The short answer

A useful SEN support meeting should establish the priority questions, bring together the child's, family's and school's information, review existing provision, decide what will change and set a review date. Ask who is chairing and recording the meeting, and include the child's view in a form they can use. Discuss one priority at a time: what happens, what is already known, what has been tried and what decision is needed. For each action, record the exact provision, responsible role, intended effect, evidence and date. Before leaving, read back actions and unresolved points. Afterwards, send a brief factual summary of your understanding and invite corrections. Do not treat silence as proof that every phrase was agreed. Keep the longer preparation checklist separate from the operational support plan.

• Know which decisions the meeting needs to make before the discussion begins.
• Make room for the child's view without requiring them to carry the meeting.
• Review both delivery and effect of existing support.
• Translate each idea into an action, owner, intended effect and date.
• Record unresolved questions and who will obtain the missing information.
• Send a concise follow-up that distinguishes agreed action from your understanding.