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Parent and child speaking with a SEND consultant during a School of Diversity SEND Clarity Session.

SEND Clarity Session for Parents

Clear, focused support to help you understand what is happening, identify what may be missing and decide what to do next.

When your child is struggling at school, waiting for assessment, receiving unclear support or entering the EHCP process, it can be difficult to know which issue to address first.

A SEND Clarity Session gives you dedicated time to explain your situation, review your main concerns and receive practical guidance tailored to your child and family.

What Is a SEND Clarity Session?

A SEND Clarity Session is a focused consultation for parents and carers who need help understanding their child’s educational needs, current support or next steps.

The session is designed to bring structure to situations that may feel confusing or overwhelming.

You may be dealing with:

  • concerns about your child’s progress;
  • unclear or inconsistent SEN Support;
  • difficulties communicating with school;
  • possible ADHD, autism or other additional needs;
  • reduced attendance or school avoidance;
  • questions about applying for an EHCP;
  • a draft EHCP that does not appear strong enough;
  • a refusal to assess or issue an EHCP;
  • uncertainty about a DLA application;
  • several reports without a clear plan.

The session helps identify the most important issues and the most appropriate next action.

Who Is the Session For?

A SEND Clarity Session may be suitable where:

  • you are worried about your child but do not know where to begin;
  • school has acknowledged concerns but support remains unclear;
  • you have been told to wait and see;
  • your child is masking or presenting differently at home and school;
  • SEN Support is in place but is not producing progress;
  • meetings take place without clear actions or accountability;
  • you are considering an EHC needs assessment request;
  • you have received a local-authority decision or draft plan;
  • you are unsure whether an ADHD or autism assessment may be appropriate;
  • you need help deciding which School of Diversity service is right for you.

You do not need to understand SEND terminology or have a formal diagnosis before booking.

What We Can Discuss

The content of the session will depend on your circumstances.

SEN Support and School Concerns

We can discuss:

  • whether your child’s needs are being identified clearly;
  • what SEN Support is currently in place;
  • whether support is specific and measurable;
  • reasonable adjustments;
  • school meetings and communication;
  • assess, plan, do and review cycles;
  • evidence of progress or continuing difficulty;
  • whether further professional input may be needed.
EHCP Applications and Reviews

We can consider:

  • whether an EHC needs assessment may be appropriate;
  • the evidence currently available;
  • gaps in school or professional records;
  • how to begin an EHCP application;
  • concerns about a draft EHCP;
  • missing needs in Section B;
  • vague or insufficient provision in Section F;
  • annual review preparation;
  • refusal or appeal decisions.
ADHD and Autism Assessment Questions

We can discuss:

  • the concerns you are observing;
  • information available from home and school;
  • possible assessment pathways;
  • the role of parent and school questionnaires;
  • how assessment findings may inform educational support;
  • whether further discussion with the assessment team may be appropriate.

A Clarity Session is not itself a diagnostic assessment and does not provide a diagnosis.

DLA Application Questions

We can help you consider:

  • whether your child has additional care, supervision or mobility needs;
  • the areas that may need to be explained in greater detail;
  • the evidence you currently hold;
  • whether full DLA Application Support may be helpful.

The session does not guarantee eligibility or a particular award.

What You Receive From the Session

The aim is for you to leave with a clearer understanding of:

  • the main issues affecting your child;
  • what support is already in place;
  • what may be missing;
  • which evidence is important;
  • what should be prioritised;
  • which action you can take next;
  • whether further advocacy, assessment or application support may be useful.

Where appropriate, you may also receive:

  • suggested questions to ask school;
  • recommended documents to request;
  • evidence-gathering priorities;
  • guidance about the relevant service pathway;
  • a concise summary of agreed next steps.

The precise deliverables should be confirmed in the booking description.

What the Session Does Not Include

To keep the service clear and transparent, a SEND Clarity Session does not automatically include:

  • a full review of an EHCP;
  • preparation of an EHC needs assessment request;
  • rewriting Sections B, F or I;
  • detailed tribunal case preparation;
  • formal representation;
  • an ADHD or autism assessment;
  • completion of a DLA application;
  • extensive document review;
  • direct contact with school or the local authority.

These services can be quoted separately where required.

SEND Clarity Session service page_compressed

How the SEND Clarity Session Works

1. Book Your Appointment

Choose an available appointment and complete the short booking questionnaire.

The questionnaire should ask for:

  • your child’s age and year group;
  • current educational setting;
  • diagnosed or suspected needs;
  • the main concern;
  • current school support;
  • any important deadlines;
  • what you hope to understand from the session.
2. Send Relevant Information

You may be asked to provide a limited number of relevant documents before the appointment.

These could include:

  • a SEN Support plan;
  • a draft or final EHCP;
  • a local-authority decision letter;
  • a recent professional report;
  • meeting notes;
  • a brief chronology.

Only send documents requested for the agreed session. A full evidence review may require a separate service.

3. Attend the Consultation

The session takes place remotely by video or telephone, depending on your booking arrangements.

You will have the opportunity to explain:

  • what has happened;
  • what support has been tried;
  • what is currently causing concern;
  • what decision or next step you are facing.
4. Identify the Priorities

We help separate urgent issues from longer-term concerns and identify practical next steps.

5. Decide What Happens Next

You may decide to:

  • contact school with specific questions;
  • request updated SEN records;
  • arrange a review meeting;
  • gather additional evidence;
  • request an EHC needs assessment;
  • obtain a draft EHCP review;
  • seek assessment support;
  • proceed with DLA Application Support;
  • take no further paid action at this stage.

There is no obligation to purchase a further service.

What to Prepare Before the Session

To make the best use of the appointment, consider the following questions:

  • What is your main concern right now?
  • When did the difficulty begin?
  • What support has school provided?
  • Has the support been consistent?
  • What progress has your child made?
  • What happens at home before or after school?
  • Are attendance, anxiety or behaviour becoming more difficult?
  • Which professionals have been involved?
  • Is there a current deadline?
  • What outcome are you hoping to achieve?

It may help to write down your three most important questions before the appointment.

Why Start With Clarity?

Parents often receive large amounts of information without being given a clear route forward.

You may have reports, emails, meeting notes and school plans but still be unsure:

  • which evidence matters;
  • whether the current support is sufficient;
  • whether an EHCP should be considered;
  • which issue is most urgent;
  • what to say at the next meeting;
  • whether you need advocacy or assessment support.

A Clarity Session helps turn a broad and complicated situation into a manageable action plan.

Why Choose School of Diversity?

Parent-Focused Guidance

We focus on the difficulties your family is currently experiencing and the decisions you need to make.

SEND and EHCP Experience

We support families with SEN Support, EHCP applications, draft plans, annual reviews, refusals and appeals.

Integrated Psychological Insight

School of Diversity also provides access to Chartered Registered Psychologist-led ADHD and autism assessment services.

Evidence-Led Approach

We help you distinguish between general concerns, relevant evidence and the provision your child may require.

Clear, Practical Communication

SEND processes are explained in accessible language, with emphasis on realistic next steps.

Support Across England

Remote consultations allow families across England to access support.

Which Service Might Follow a Clarity Session?

The session may indicate that one of the following services would be useful.

SEND and School Support

For help with SEN Support, reasonable adjustments, school meetings and identifying gaps in provision.

Button: Explore SEND and School Support

EHCP Application Support

For parents who want help preparing a detailed EHC needs assessment request and organising evidence.

Button: Explore EHCP Application Support

EHCP Advocacy Support

For draft plans, annual reviews, refusals, mediation, appeals and tribunal preparation.

Button: Explore EHCP Advocacy Support

ADHD and Autism Assessments

For families seeking a structured assessment pathway and practical recommendations.

Button: Explore Assessment Services

DLA Application Support

For help explaining a child’s additional care, supervision, safety and mobility needs.

Button: Explore DLA Application Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Diagnosis Before Booking?

No. Parents often book because their child’s needs are suspected, emerging or not yet fully understood.

Can You Review Documents During the Session?

A limited number of documents may be considered where agreed in advance.

A detailed review of a full EHCP, large evidence bundle or multiple professional reports may require a separate document-review service.

Will You Tell Me Whether My Child Will Get an EHCP?

We can discuss whether the available information indicates that an EHC needs assessment may be appropriate.

We cannot guarantee how a local authority or tribunal will decide.

Can You Diagnose ADHD or Autism During the Session?

No. A Clarity Session is not a diagnostic assessment.

Where appropriate, we can explain the available assessment pathway and what information may be required.

Can You Complete My DLA Form During the Session?

No. The session can help identify relevant issues, but detailed form completion and statement preparation are provided through the DLA Application Support service.

Can Both Parents Attend?

Yes, subject to the booking arrangements and any relevant consent or confidentiality considerations.

Can the School Attend?

The standard session is designed for parents and carers.

Attendance by school staff or professionals should be agreed in advance and may require a different consultation format.

Will I Receive Written Notes?

You will receive a brief action summary

Is the Session Confidential?

Information is handled in accordance with the organisation’s privacy, confidentiality and data-protection procedures.

Any limits to confidentiality should be explained in the client agreement and privacy notice.

Can You Contact the School After the Session?

Direct contact, correspondence or meeting attendance is not automatically included.

This can be discussed as a separate service where appropriate.

Book Your SEND Clarity Session

You do not need to have every document, diagnosis or answer before asking for help.

Tell us what is happening, what support is currently in place and what decision you are facing. We will help you identify the most important issues and the clearest next step.

Important Information

A SEND Clarity Session provides general SEND guidance and practical support based on the information made available during the appointment.

It does not guarantee a local-authority decision, assessment outcome, benefit award, school placement or tribunal result.

The session does not constitute representation by a solicitor or barrister and is not a substitute for regulated legal advice where this is required.

The scope, price, duration, cancellation terms and any written deliverables should be confirmed at the time of booking.