SEND Information Reports are statutory, but rarely diagnostic. Many are written to satisfy compliance rather than inform parents meaningfully.
What Matters More Than What Is Written
Pay attention to:
- ●Specific staffing references (roles, not titles)
- ●Frequency of interventions
- ●Transition processes
- ●Escalation pathways when support fails
Absence of detail is itself data.
Language That Signals Strong Practice
Look for concrete descriptions of:
- ●How needs are identified
- ●Who delivers interventions and when
- ●How progress is measured
- ●How parents are involved
Language That Signals Compliance, Not Competence
Be wary of:
- ●Generic statements about inclusivity
- ●Repeated references to "policies" without practice
- ●Lack of specificity about staffing or frequency
Cross-reference SEND reports with inspection evidence
We cross-reference SEND reports with inspection findings, parent feedback and historical patterns to highlight gaps between stated policy and observed practice.
Start your shortlistRelated articles
Choosing a School for Your SEND Child: A Clinically Informed Guide
A clinically informed guide to evaluating schools when your child has additional needs - alignment, evidence and how SEND provision truly functions day to day.
10–12 min readSEND and Ofsted: Interpreting Inspection Evidence Correctly
Ofsted assesses SEND indirectly - how to decode inspection language and extract SEND-relevant signals.
6–8 min readComparing SEND Provision Between Schools: A Structured Framework
A structured framework for comparing SEND provision - staffing continuity, behaviour culture, leadership authority and more.
8–10 min read