What is an SEN Support Plan?

A Special Educational Needs (SEN) support plan is a personal document. It is for students who need extra help with their learning. It is used in early years settings, schools, and colleges. It will have information about:

  • the needs of the student
  • the goals of the student 
  • the extra support that the student will be given

Having a SEN support plan is helpful for staff, parents, and carers. It means that they are aware of the needs of a student and support that can help.

You should speak with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or class teacher if you think an SEN support plan is needed. They can discuss this with you.

You can also find useful information from charities like Scope on how to talk to your child’s school about their needs. 

A smiling child in a modified chair holding the arm of a smiling woman.

What information is in an SEN support plan? 

There are three parts to an SEN support plan:

Part one - Overview of student

  • Things I want you to know about me
  • What my family says about me
  • It helps me if you
  • I find it hard when

Part two - Needs, goals and support 

  1. What I can do now (assess)
  2. What I will be able to do (plan)
  3. Who and what will help me (do)
  4. How did I get on (review)

Part three - Changing year groups or key stages or settings

  • Moving on, sometimes called transitions 
  • Things that have worked and should continue
  • Next steps to think about 

Schools and setting in Newcastle can use Newcastle SEND Support plan (Rainbow Plan) as a template for you or your child's SEN support plan. 

How is a SEN support plan made?

The teacher and SENCO will invite the parents/carers and child to a meeting. It is a chance for everyone to:

  • share their views
  • discuss strengths and weaknesses
  • agree goals and support
  • write this into the SEN support plan

It is important that you are involved as much as possible. Your views are always appreciated and useful when planning support. 

The teacher is then responsible for putting the support in place. The SENCO can help with this. 

Why do we review SEN support plans?

It is important that a student's SEN support plan is regularly reviewed. This is because:

  • their needs can change
  • there could be better ways to support them 
  • of a better understanding of their needs
  • of a better understanding of what helps 

You will be invited to review the support plan at least 3 times a year. Changes will be made to make sure the plan and support continues to meet their needs. 

What if the SEN support plan isn't working? 

Sometimes the support written in a plan might not be helping. There are many reasons for this including: 

  • the support is not being consistently followed
  • the support written in a plan is not effective
  • the needs of the student is not fully understood
  • the student has or is developing more complex needs

You can voice any concerns you have to your SENCO, teacher or practitioner. Sometimes changing the plan and agreeing new support is enough. If it isn't, then an Education Health and Care Plan may be needed.

What does SEN support look like?
Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on May 31st 2026
Page last updated
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