Education plans explained

Not every child needs a formal plan

Schools use different ways to record, plan and review additional support. The type of plan used will depend on your child’s needs and circumstances.

A child can receive additional support even if they do not have a formal written plan.

School support plan

A school may use an individual education plan, additional support plan or another locally agreed format to record support.

It may include your child’s strengths, areas of need, agreed targets, support strategies and arrangements for review.

Child’s Plan

A Child’s Plan may be used where a child needs coordinated support with their learning or wellbeing.

It should bring together the important information, agreed outcomes, actions and responsibilities of the people involved.

Co-ordinated Support Plan

A Co-ordinated Support Plan, usually called a CSP, is a statutory education plan used for some children and young people with complex or long-term additional support needs.

It is intended to coordinate significant support provided by education and at least one other agency.

What should a plan include?

The exact format may differ, but a useful plan should make clear:

• your child’s strengths and interests
• the areas in which they need support
• the outcomes or targets being worked towards
• what support will be provided
• who is responsible for each action
• when the plan will be reviewed

You and your child should be involved

Parents and carers should be involved in discussions about their child’s support. Children and young people should also be supported to share their views in a way that works for them.

You can ask for a copy of the plan and discuss anything that is unclear or does not reflect your child’s needs.

Reviewing the plan

A plan should not simply be written and filed away. It should be reviewed to check whether the agreed support is being provided and whether it is helping your child.

Targets, strategies and actions may be changed as your child’s needs and circumstances develop.

What should I do next?

Ask the school how your child’s support is currently recorded and when it will next be reviewed.

The purpose of any plan is to make support clear, coordinated and focused on positive outcomes for your child.