One of the biggest challenges that SENCos face is ensuring the facilitation of multi-agency involvement. Although there clearly isn’t any ‘magic bullet’ here, and local issues are most definitely a significant factor, the following action plan ensured the best outcomes for our reviews.

• Ensure early initial engagement.
• Provide timely reminders.
• Be as positive as possible.
• Consider engaging parents/carers in ‘chasing’ too.
• Provide clear time frames and early dates – leave plenty of notice.
• For essential professionals: arrange around them.

Whilst our reviews were very successful, I am always thinking of how to improve things and make them more efficient.  Some suggestions by staff involved are as follows:

• Check through documents beforehand, and number them too (I got in a bit of a mess with my first couple as the report format looked similar to SALT/EP etc.)
• Make sure the kettle is boiled ready (nothing worse than waiting for 10 mins to brew up – a prompt start is useful)!
• Always start with the child/young person and keep them central – good reviews have always done this!
• Give parents/carers time to speak and engage in a discussion. This is very important – poor exchanges don’t give parents/carers time to respond.
• Management of the meeting is key – maintaining a positive, solution-focused approach is important.

Ideas and strategies for getting students and parents/carers fully involved in the process

• Early discussions – be open and honest about legal requirements, providing information/handouts if necessary.
• Allow time for consideration and thinking – plan well in advance.
• Don’t rush discussions – allowing enough time is important.
• Ensure positive, open communication at all times.
• Stress that the process is looking for outcomes – what do they want for their child?
• How can these outcomes be achieved? Be solution focused.

Key Advice

• Remember the law trumps all…
• Ensure you know ‘absolute’ information:
  • Irwin Mitchell's factsheets & template letters
  • IPSEA
  • Douglas Silas
  • Browne Jacobson
• Always be absolutely open and transparent – engage parents/carers positively and pro-actively.
• Keep the young person central to everything.
• Remain resolute and solution focused.
• Read SENCology for an ongoing account!