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SENDCO Quick Start & Improvement Workbook

Practical SEND reflection, review and improvement planning tools for schools. Download, complete, save, print, revisit.

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What's included: 14 fill-in sections: health check, provision, register, attendance, parent partnership, EHCP reviews, workload, governor questions, development planning, action tracking, a journal, 30-day sprints, 90-day plans and inspection-to-action.
Accessibility: Screen reader and keyboard friendly, high contrast, plain English and print-friendly. Use the controls in the top bar to change text size, font, contrast and motion, or to listen to the page.
Privacy: No registration or login. Answers stay in your browser. Use pseudonymised references only. Never enter pupil names.
Legislative alignment: Written with reference to 14 pieces of legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
Feedback: Tell us what helped and what to build next, then come back after a month to share the impact.

The SEND Accountability Project Ltd · SEND Family Hub · thesendaccountabilityproject.online · director@thesendaccountabilityproject.online · datalead@thesendaccountabilityproject.online · ICO Registration: ZC252093 · Company Number: 17420678 · Supporting schools, families and professionals through practical SEND resources, toolkits and insights.

THE SEND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

SENDCO QUICK START & IMPROVEMENT WORKBOOK v1.0

Quick Start & Improvement Workbook

Practical SEND Reflection, Review and Improvement Planning Tools for Schools

Supporting: SENDCOs · Inclusion Leads · Headteachers · Senior Leaders · Governors

Free Download · No Registration Required

Download • Complete • Save • Print • Revisit

The SEND Accountability Project Ltd
Supporting schools, families and professionals through practical SEND resources, toolkits and insights.

Welcome

This workbook gives SENDCOs, Inclusion Leads, Headteachers, Senior Leaders and Governors one place to reflect on SEND practice, review provision and plan improvement. Use it for:

Reflection on what is working and what is not
Improvement planning with clear actions
SEND development over 30 and 90 days
Leadership conversations with your senior team
Governance support and challenge

Your answers save in this browser only. Never enter pupil names or identifiable details. Use references such as Pupil A001.

SENDCO Health Check

Score each statement from 1 (not in place) to 5 (embedded), with evidence, reflection and an automatic score sheet.

School

Completed by

Date

1 = Not in Place
2 = Emerging
3 = Developing
4 = Established
5 = Embedded

Leadership & Strategic Oversight

Leadership Score: 0 / 25

Priority actions

Parent Partnership Health Check

Partnership working. Rate each statement 1 to 5.

Reflection questions

Where are relationships strongest?

What barriers exist?

What could improve communication?

Overall Score: 0 / 25

Identification, Staffing and Outcomes

Identification

Notes

Staffing

Notes

Outcomes

Notes

SENDCO Score Sheet

Leadership & Strategic Oversight: 0 / 25
Parent Partnership: 0 / 25
Identification: 0 / 25
Staffing: 0 / 25
Outcomes: 0 / 25

Total0 /125

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SEND Register Health Review

Check the register is accurate, current and supported by evidence.

School

Completed by

Date

Register numbers

Numbers only. No pupil details.

Total pupils on roll

Pupils on the SEND register

Pupils with an EHCP

Pupils at SEN Support

Reflection

Is the register accurate?

What evidence supports this?

What actions are required?

On the SEND register

—

EHCP

—

SEN Support

—

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Attendance & Inclusion Review

Review attendance, persistent absence, inclusion, participation and barriers for pupils with SEND.

School

Completed by

Date

Attendance

What we know now (whole-school or group data only)

What we will do next

Persistent absence

What we know now (whole-school or group data only)

What we will do next

Inclusion

What we know now (whole-school or group data only)

What we will do next

Participation

What we know now (whole-school or group data only)

What we will do next

Barriers

What we know now (whole-school or group data only)

What we will do next

Development planning

Row 1
Priority
Action
Lead
Review date
Row 2
Priority
Action
Lead
Review date

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

SENDCO Workload Audit

A weekly activity review with total hours and reflection questions.

School

Completed by

Date

Hours per week spent on each area
Activity	Hours	Share of time
EHCP Reviews		0%
Meetings		0%
Parent Contact		0%
Administration		0%
Data Analysis		0%
Staff Support		0%
Training		0%
Teaching		0%
Total weekly hours	0 hrs	Enter hours to see the breakdown.

Reflection

What generates the greatest workload?

What could be streamlined?

What support would help most?

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

SEND Governor Toolkit

A governor visit template and the questions governors should ask.

SEND Governor Visit Template

Visit details

Governor

Date

Staff met

Focus of visit

Evidence gathered

What is working well?

Challenges identified?

Questions arising?

Actions recommended?

Questions Governors Should Ask

1. What proportion of pupils are on the SEND Register?
2. What outcomes are being achieved?
3. What are attendance trends?
4. How many EHCPs are in place?
5. What training has been delivered?
6. How is parent voice gathered?
7. What are the current SEND priorities?

Governors' notes

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SEND Action Plan Template

Plan each priority area: current position, outcome, actions, success measures and RAG status.

School

Completed by

Date

Priority area 1
Priority
Current position
Desired outcome
Actions required
1. Row 1
  Action
  Lead
  Deadline
2. Row 2
  Action
  Lead
  Deadline
Success measures
RAG status
RedAmberGreen
Review date
Priority area 2
Priority
Current position
Desired outcome
Actions required
1. Row 1
  Action
  Lead
  Deadline
2. Row 2
  Action
  Lead
  Deadline
Success measures
RAG status
RedAmberGreen
Review date
Priority area 3
Priority
Current position
Desired outcome
Actions required
1. Row 1
  Action
  Lead
  Deadline
2. Row 2
  Action
  Lead
  Deadline
Success measures
RAG status
RedAmberGreen
Review date

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

Action Tracker

Track every action with an owner, status, evidence and review date.

School

Completed by

Date

Actions

Row 1
Action
Owner
Status, row 1
Evidence
Review date
Progress notes
Row 2
Action
Owner
Status, row 2
Evidence
Review date
Progress notes
Row 3
Action
Owner
Status, row 3
Evidence
Review date
Progress notes
Row 4
Action
Owner
Status, row 4
Evidence
Review date
Progress notes

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

SEND Improvement Journal

Space to think, question and plan. Use it after meetings, reviews and training.

School

Completed by

Date

Journal

Key reflections

Questions

Ideas

Next steps

Discussion points

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30-Day SEND Sprint Planner

One focused improvement, four weeks of actions, one review.

School

Completed by

Date

The sprint

Sprint focus

Challenge

Intended impact

Weekly actions

Week 1 actions

Week 2 actions

Week 3 actions

Week 4 actions

Sprint review

Success measures

Review notes

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

90-Day SEND Improvement Planner

A strategic priority broken into three 30-day phases, with evidence and evaluation.

School

Completed by

Date

Priority

Strategic priority

Current position

Target position

Milestones

First 30 days

Days 31 to 60

Days 61 to 90

Evaluation

Evidence of success

Final evaluation

Next priority

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

Inspection Findings to Action Planning

Turn findings from inspections, audits, reviews and parent feedback into clear, measurable actions.

School

Completed by

Date

Findings

One row per finding.

Row 1
Source, row 1
Finding
Impact
Desired outcome
Actions
Evidence required
Success measures
Review date
Row 2
Source, row 2
Finding
Impact
Desired outcome
Actions
Evidence required
Success measures
Review date

Worked example

From inspection finding to review

1. FindingExample only: "Pupils with SEND do not consistently receive the adaptations set out in their support plans."
2. Improvement priorityEvery pupil with SEND receives agreed adaptations in every lesson.
3. 30-day sprintWeek 1: share one-page profiles with all teachers. Week 2: model three adaptations in briefing. Week 3: learning walks focused on adaptations. Week 4: review findings with staff.
4. 90-day planDays 1–30: the sprint above. Days 31–60: coaching for teachers where gaps were seen. Days 61–90: repeat learning walks and gather pupil and parent views.
5. Success measuresAdaptations seen in most observed lessons; teacher confidence rises in the staff survey; parents report better consistency.
6. Review structureFortnightly SENDCO check-in, half-termly report to the senior team, termly update to governors.

Do not enter children's names or any information that could identify a child. Your answers save automatically in this browser on this device only. Nothing is sent to us.

Legislative & guidance alignment

The workbook's prompts are written with reference to the following. Links open the official source in a new tab.

Children and Families Act 2014(opens in a new tab)
Part 3 sets out duties for children and young people with SEND, including EHC plans.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/contents
SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years(opens in a new tab)
Statutory guidance on identifying, assessing and supporting SEND.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=SEND%20code%20of%20practice%200%20to%2025%20years
SEND Regulations 2014(opens in a new tab)
Regulations on assessments, EHC plans, reviews and the SEN Information Report.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1530/contents
Equality Act 2010(opens in a new tab)
Reasonable adjustments and accessibility duties for disabled pupils.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Data Protection Act 2018(opens in a new tab)
UK data protection law, alongside UK GDPR.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12/contents
UK GDPR(opens in a new tab)
ICO guidance on handling personal data, including children's data.
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/
Teachers' Standards(opens in a new tab)
Standard 5: adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Teachers'%20Standards
Mandatory SENCO qualification guidance(opens in a new tab)
Requirements for SENCOs to hold the national qualification.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=SENCO%20mandatory%20qualification%20NPQ
Education Inspection Framework(opens in a new tab)
How Ofsted inspects schools, including provision for pupils with SEND.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Ofsted%20education%20inspection%20framework
Area SEND Inspection Framework(opens in a new tab)
Joint Ofsted and CQC inspections of local area SEND arrangements.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=area%20SEND%20inspection%20framework%20and%20handbook
Keeping Children Safe in Education(opens in a new tab)
Statutory safeguarding guidance, including additional vulnerabilities of children with SEND.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Keeping%20children%20safe%20in%20education
Working Together to Safeguard Children(opens in a new tab)
Multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Working%20together%20to%20safeguard%20children
Working Together to Improve School Attendance(opens in a new tab)
Attendance expectations, including support for pupils with SEND.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Working%20together%20to%20improve%20school%20attendance
Alternative Provision guidance(opens in a new tab)
Statutory guidance for commissioning alternative provision.
https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=alternative%20provision%20statutory%20guidance

Official sources appendix

GOV.UK guidance: https://www.gov.uk/education
Legislation.gov.uk: https://www.legislation.gov.uk
ICO guidance: https://ico.org.uk
SEND Code of Practice: https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=SEND%20code%20of%20practice
Teachers' Standards: https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=Teachers'%20Standards
Ofsted frameworks: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted
SEND inspection frameworks: https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=area%20SEND%20inspection%20framework

Always check the official source for the latest version before making decisions.

Accessibility, privacy and disclaimer

Accessibility statement

Designed for accessible PDFs, screen readers and keyboard navigation, with high-contrast design, plain English, clear headings and a print-friendly layout. Use the accessibility controls in the top bar for larger text, a dyslexia-friendly font, high contrast, reduced motion and read-aloud.

Privacy notice

No registration or login is required. Feedback is optional. Your answers stay in your browser. Use pseudonymised references (for example Pupil A001) and avoid any identifiable pupil information.

Compliance disclaimer

This workbook supports reflection and improvement planning. It is not legal advice, not consultancy, and completing it is not evidence of statutory compliance.

SENDCO Quick Start & Improvement Workbook

Quick Start & Improvement Workbook

Welcome

Leadership & Strategic Oversight

Parent Partnership Health Check

Reflection questions

Identification, Staffing and Outcomes

Identification

Staffing

Outcomes

SENDCO Score Sheet

Early Identification

Review areas

Other areas of provision

Leadership & Governance

Quality First Teaching

Graduated Approach

SEND Register Management

SEN Support

EHCP Provision

Attendance

Behaviour

Inclusion

Transition

Parent Engagement

Outcomes Monitoring

Action Planning

Register numbers

Reflection

Attendance

Persistent absence

Inclusion

Participation

Barriers

Development planning

Parent Meeting Record

Agreed actions

Parent Engagement Audit

Letter templates

Before the Meeting

During the Meeting

After the Meeting

Review Meeting Record

Reflection

SEND Governor Visit Template

Visit details

Evidence gathered

Questions Governors Should Ask

Priority area 1

Actions required

Priority area 2

Actions required

Priority area 3

Actions required

Actions

Journal

The sprint

Weekly actions

Sprint review

Priority

Milestones

Evaluation

Findings

From inspection finding to review

Legislative & guidance alignment

Official sources appendix

Accessibility, privacy and disclaimer

Accessibility statement

Privacy notice

Compliance disclaimer