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NavigateSEND

NavigateSEND Checklists

Use these checklists to prepare for a first response or 15-minute consultation with NavigateSEND.

You do not need to have everything ready before speaking with us. The checklists are designed to help you organise the most useful information so that the first conversation can focus on the right next step.

Please do not send sensitive documents, medical information, psychological reports, EHCPs, tribunal papers or safeguarding information unless we ask you to send them through a secure route.

1

EHCP Support Checklist

This checklist is for families or professionals considering an EHC needs assessment, a new EHCP, or early SEND planning.

For a 15-minute consultation, the aim is not to review every document in detail. The aim is to understand where you are in the process, what has already happened, and what decision or next step is needed.

Useful information to have ready

  • The child or young person’s age, year group and current setting
  • Whether an EHC needs assessment has already been requested
  • If yes, the date the request was made
  • Any response from the local authority
  • Whether the child or young person is currently on SEN Support
  • Main areas of concern: learning, communication, attendance, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, independence, sensory needs, health or fatigue
  • What support is currently in place at school, college or home
  • What has already been tried
  • Any recent school reports, SEN plans or intervention records
  • Any professional reports already available
  • Any important deadlines or meetings

Questions to think about before the call

  • What is the main reason you think an EHCP may be needed?
  • What is not currently working?
  • What support is missing?
  • Has the setting said it can or cannot meet needs?
  • What outcome are you hoping for from NavigateSEND?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • an EHC needs assessment request;
  • a review of existing evidence;
  • advice on what evidence is missing;
  • support responding to a local authority decision;
  • a more detailed paid consultation or case review.
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2

EHCP Review and Annual Review Checklist

This checklist is for situations where an EHCP already exists but may need reviewing, amending or updating.

The 15-minute consultation is best used to identify what part of the EHCP is not working and whether the issue is about needs, outcomes, provision, placement or delivery.

Useful information to have ready

  • Current final EHCP
  • Date of the most recent annual review
  • Date of the next annual review, if known
  • Any annual review paperwork
  • Any draft amended EHCP
  • Sections of the EHCP that are disputed or out of date
  • Whether the issue is mainly about Section B, E, F or I
  • Evidence that provision is not being delivered
  • School or college views
  • Parent/carer views
  • Young person’s views, where appropriate
  • Relevant professional reports
  • Local authority correspondence
  • Any deadline for responding to proposed amendments

Questions to think about before the call

  • Does the EHCP still describe current needs accurately?
  • Are the outcomes still meaningful and relevant?
  • Is the provision specific and quantified?
  • Is the named placement still suitable?
  • Is the issue the wording of the EHCP, the delivery of provision, or both?
  • What exactly needs to change?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to identify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • preparing for an annual review;
  • reviewing EHCP wording;
  • identifying missing provision;
  • gathering evidence;
  • requesting amendments;
  • considering appeal or dispute resolution options.
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3

SEND Appeal and Tribunal Checklist

This checklist is for families or professionals dealing with refusal to assess, refusal to issue, disputed EHCP content, placement disagreement or tribunal-related deadlines.

If there is a deadline, make this clear at the start of any communication with us.

Useful information to have ready

  • The local authority decision letter
  • The date of the decision letter
  • Any appeal deadline
  • Any tribunal date or direction deadline
  • Current EHCP, if there is one
  • Draft EHCP, if relevant
  • The sections or decisions in dispute
  • Current placement details
  • Preferred placement or type of provision, if known
  • Key professional evidence already available
  • Any mediation certificate
  • Any tribunal paperwork
  • Any local authority correspondence
  • Whether a solicitor or advocate is already involved

Questions to think about before the call

  • What decision are you challenging?
  • What is the deadline?
  • What outcome are you seeking?
  • What evidence already exists?
  • What evidence may still be missing?
  • Is the issue mainly assessment, provision, placement or wording?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • urgent deadline review;
  • evidence mapping;
  • EHCP wording review;
  • professional assessment;
  • appeal preparation support;
  • signposting to legal advice where needed.
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4

EOTAS and Failed Placement Checklist

This checklist is for situations involving non-attendance, emotionally based school avoidance, reduced timetables, unsuitable provision, repeated placement breakdown or possible education otherwise than at school.

The first consultation is best used to understand what has broken down, what is currently in place, and whether an EOTAS or alternative provision pathway may need to be explored.

Useful information to have ready

  • Current EHCP, if there is one
  • Current school, college or placement name
  • Current attendance position
  • How long attendance has been difficult
  • Whether there is a reduced timetable
  • Whether alternative provision is currently in place
  • Brief timeline of placement difficulties or breakdowns
  • What education or support is currently being received
  • What support has already been tried
  • Any annual review paperwork
  • Any local authority correspondence
  • Any medical, psychological, therapy or professional reports already available
  • Any upcoming meetings, annual reviews or deadlines

Questions to think about before the call

  • What has broken down?
  • Is the child or young person currently receiving suitable education?
  • What has been tried already?
  • What provision is missing?
  • What would a suitable package need to include?
  • Is the issue school attendance, placement suitability, unmet needs, health/fatigue, anxiety, trauma, sensory needs or a combination?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to identify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • EOTAS suitability discussion;
  • EHCP review or amendment;
  • evidence mapping;
  • annual review preparation;
  • psychological or educational assessment;
  • case formulation;
  • provision planning.
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5

Psychological Assessment Checklist

This checklist is for families, adults or professionals considering psychological assessment, formulation or recommendations.

The 15-minute consultation is not an assessment. It is used to clarify the referral question, the purpose of the assessment and whether NavigateSEND is the right route.

Useful information to have ready

  • Who the assessment is for
  • Age, stage and current setting or work situation
  • Reason for the assessment
  • Main questions you want the assessment to answer
  • Whether the assessment is for EHCP, annual review, appeal, DSA, Access to Work, rehabilitation, vocational planning, education support or general understanding
  • Any previous psychological, educational or occupational assessments
  • Any school, college, workplace or professional reports already available
  • Any deadline for the report
  • Who will use the report
  • Whether the report needs to support a statutory, legal, educational, rehabilitation or occupational decision

Questions to think about before the call

  • What decision needs to be informed by the assessment?
  • What is already known?
  • What remains unclear?
  • What would a useful report need to cover?
  • Is the main issue learning, cognition, attention, emotional functioning, adaptive behaviour, work, education, fatigue, adjustment or formulation?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • assessment scoping;
  • review of existing evidence;
  • recommendation of assessment type;
  • quote/proposal;
  • signposting to a different professional route if needed.
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6

Preparing for Adulthood Checklist

This checklist is for young people, families and professionals planning for adulthood, independence, further education, employment, community participation or supported living.

The 15-minute consultation is best used to identify the main transition question and whether the current plan is moving the young person towards meaningful adult outcomes.

Useful information to have ready

  • Age and current education or support setting
  • Current EHCP, if there is one
  • Current Preparing for Adulthood outcomes
  • Education, training or employment goals
  • Independence and daily living goals
  • Travel, communication, social or community participation needs
  • Current care, therapy or support arrangements
  • Any transition planning already completed
  • College, placement or work options being considered
  • Key concerns about adulthood or transition
  • Important dates, annual reviews or decision deadlines

Questions to think about before the call

  • What does a good adult life look like for this young person?
  • What skills or support are needed to move towards that?
  • What decisions need to be made soon?
  • Who needs to be involved?
  • Are the EHCP outcomes preparing the young person for adulthood in a practical way?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • Preparing for Adulthood outcome review;
  • EHCP outcome/provision mapping;
  • transition planning;
  • independence/vocational assessment;
  • multi-agency planning;
  • supported living, college or employment pathway discussion.
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7

Access to Work and Adult Occupational Needs Checklist

This checklist is for adults or young adults seeking support with work, reasonable adjustments, Access to Work, occupational functioning, return to work or vocational planning.

The 15-minute consultation is best used to understand the work-related issue, what has already been tried and what practical support may be needed.

Useful information to have ready

  • Current work, study or employment status
  • Job role or intended job role
  • Main work or study barriers
  • Adjustments already tried
  • Support already in place
  • Whether Access to Work has already been contacted
  • Any Access to Work reference number
  • Employer involvement, if relevant
  • Any occupational health, medical, psychological or vocational reports already available
  • Whether the goal is to stay in work, return to work, start work, change role, study or plan next steps
  • Any employer, work, course or funding deadline

Questions to think about before the call

  • What is the work-related problem to solve?
  • What adjustments have helped?
  • What adjustments have not helped?
  • What would make work or study more sustainable?
  • Is the issue about capacity, fatigue, cognition, anxiety, equipment, environment, communication, confidence, role fit or return-to-work planning?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • Access to Work guidance;
  • workplace adjustment planning;
  • vocational assessment;
  • return-to-work support;
  • occupational formulation;
  • coaching or practical support planning.
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8

Professional Referral Checklist

This checklist is for solicitors, case managers, schools, colleges, local authorities and other professionals seeking assessment, advice, case formulation, report review or coordinated support.

The 15-minute consultation is best used to clarify the referral question, required output, deadline and whether NavigateSEND is the right service to respond.

Useful information to have ready

  • Referrer name, role and organisation
  • Client age and broad situation
  • Referral question
  • Funding route or instructing party
  • Required output: assessment, report, opinion, review, consultation, formulation or ongoing support
  • Key deadlines
  • Whether existing reports or bundles are available
  • Whether consent is already in place
  • Whether the matter relates to EHCP, EOTAS, appeal, litigation, rehabilitation, education, work or transition
  • Preferred timescale
  • Any specific report format, professional standard or instruction requirement

Questions to think about before the call

  • What decision does this referral need to inform?
  • What questions should NavigateSEND answer?
  • What documents already exist?
  • What deadline is fixed?
  • Who needs to receive the output?
  • Is the instruction for assessment, case review, formulation, recommendations or ongoing coordination?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • formal referral/instruction;
  • assessment scoping;
  • report review;
  • proposal/quote;
  • document request;
  • service lead review;
  • signposting if another professional route is more appropriate.
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9

General Enquiry / Not Sure Checklist

This checklist is for situations that do not fit neatly into one pathway or where more than one NavigateSEND service may be relevant.

The 15-minute consultation is best used to clarify the main issue, identify the most relevant pathway and decide whether any further information is needed.

Useful information to have ready

  • Who the enquiry is about
  • Age or stage
  • Whether the issue relates mainly to education, EHCP, EOTAS, assessment, adulthood, work or professional referral
  • Current school, college, work, placement or support situation
  • What is not currently working
  • What you are hoping NavigateSEND can help with
  • Any important dates or deadlines
  • Whether there are documents or professional reports already available
  • Which service page seemed closest

Questions to think about before the call

  • What is the main issue right now?
  • What decision are you trying to make?
  • Who else is involved?
  • Is the matter urgent?
  • Which pathway seems most relevant?
  • What would a useful first response help you decide?

Good use of the 15-minute consultation

Use the consultation to clarify whether the next step is likely to be:

  • routing to a specific NavigateSEND pathway;
  • a paid triage consultation;
  • assessment scoping;
  • document review;
  • signposting;
  • no further action at this stage.
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These checklists are for preparation only. They are not a substitute for advice, assessment or a full review of documents.

Please do not send sensitive documents unless NavigateSEND asks you to provide them through a secure route.