A SEND Information Report is a document every state-funded school in England must publish on its website, describing how it supports pupils with special educational needs. Unlike an EHCP — an individual plan for one child — the SEND Information Report describes whole-school provision, helping parents compare schools before their child joins.
Why does the SEND Information Report exist?
The SEND Information Report became a legal requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015. It was created to give parents and carers accessible, transparent information about how a school meets the needs of pupils with SEND — without having to contact the school directly or request this information.
Before the Act, parents often had to find out about SEND provision through a combination of Ofsted inspection reports, hearsay, and conversations with the school. The SEND Information Report standardised and democratised this information: any parent can read what a school offers before their child arrives, and can hold the school accountable to what it publishes.
Schools are required to review and update the report at least once per year. A report that has not been updated recently, or that contains very vague commitments, is itself a signal worth noting.
What must the SEND Information Report include?
The statutory guidance specifies that the report must cover:
| Area | What should be described |
|---|---|
| Types of SEND supported | The categories of need the school has experience supporting (e.g. dyslexia, ASD, ADHD, social, emotional and mental health needs, physical disabilities) |
| How teachers adapt learning | How class teachers differentiate instruction, resources, and assessment for pupils with SEND |
| How the school identifies and assesses SEND | The process for identifying pupils who may have SEND — including initial concerns, referrals, and assessments |
| Who to contact | The name and contact details of the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) |
| Specialist staff and expertise | Whether the school employs specialist staff (e.g. speech and language therapists, learning support assistants) or buys in external support |
| External agencies | Which outside professionals the school works with (e.g. educational psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists) |
| Admission arrangements for pupils with SEND | How the school handles applications from pupils with SEND, including those with EHCPs |
| Transition support | How pupils with SEND are supported when moving from primary to secondary or from secondary to post-16 |
| How parents are involved | How parents are kept informed about their child's progress and involved in planning support |
| Complaints procedure | How to raise concerns if a parent believes SEND needs are not being met |
How is the SEND Information Report different from an EHCP?
| SEND Information Report | Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
|---|---|
| A school-wide document | An individual plan for one specific child |
| Published on the school website | A legal document held by the local authority and the family |
| Covers what the school offers in general | Specifies what must be provided for this particular child |
| Required for every state school | Required only when a child's needs cannot be met through normal school resources |
| No legal obligation on any individual child | Legally binding on the school and LA |
The SEND Information Report and an EHCP work together but are not the same thing. A parent whose child has an EHCP will want to check whether the school's SEND Information Report describes provision that actually matches what the EHCP requires.
How can parents use the SEND Information Report?
When choosing a school: Reading the SEND Information Reports of two or three prospective secondary schools before making an application is one of the most productive things a parent of a child with SEND can do. Look for:
- Specific mention of the type of need your child has
- Named external professionals the school works with
- Clear description of how pupils are grouped and supported in class
- A named SENCO with contact details (this tells you there is a real person in post, not just a job title)
When your child is already at the school: If you have concerns about how your child is being supported, the SEND Information Report provides a reference point. If the school says in its report that it provides small-group withdrawal sessions for pupils with reading difficulties, and your child with identified reading difficulties has never been offered this, you have grounds for a structured conversation with the SENCO.
When evaluating Ofsted reports: Ofsted inspectors assess how schools meet the needs of pupils with SEND. Reading the school's SEND Information Report alongside its most recent Ofsted report gives a more complete picture of provision than either document alone.
Where do parents find the SEND Information Report?
Every state-funded school is required to publish it on its website. Most schools have it under a section named "SEND," "Inclusion," or "Policies." If you cannot find it, ask the school directly — a school that does not have one publicly available is not meeting its statutory duty, and you can report this to the local authority.
Frequently asked questions
Does every school have a SEND Information Report?
Every state-maintained school and academy in England is legally required to have one. Independent schools are not under the same statutory obligation, though many publish similar information voluntarily. If a state school does not have one on its website, this is a breach of the Children and Families Act 2014 and should be raised with the school's SENCO, the headteacher, or the local authority.
Can I rely on the SEND Information Report to guarantee support for my child?
No. The report describes provision the school offers at a whole-school level — it does not guarantee that every individual pupil will receive every element of provision listed. The actual support your child receives should be determined through the SEN Support process (known as "graduated approach" or "assess, plan, do, review") or, for pupils with EHCPs, through the plan itself. The report is a useful guide, not a contract.
How often is the SEND Information Report updated?
Schools must review and update it at least once per year. In practice, many update it more frequently when provision or staffing changes. The date of the most recent update should be visible on the document. If it is significantly out of date — for example, more than two years old — the SENCO or headteacher should be asked when the next update is due.
What is the Local Offer and how does it relate to the SEND Information Report?
The Local Offer is published by the local authority (not the school) and describes all the SEND provision and services available across the local area — including schools, health services, social care, and voluntary organisations. Each school's SEND Information Report is one component that feeds into the local authority's Local Offer. If you want a broader picture of what support is available in your area beyond any individual school, the LA's Local Offer page is the place to look.
For learning support, revision strategies, and subject help tailored to pupils with SEND, visit aitutors.me.