Who does what?
1. What you might notice
Several professionals may be involved, but their roles are different. Ask who owns the next action rather than assuming another service is dealing with it.
2. What to ask
- Who is coordinating this concern?
- What can your role decide or arrange, and who handles the rest?
3. What to record — and why
Person, role and organisation: Makes clear whether you are speaking to school, council or a health service.
Question or referral purpose: Keeps the request within the person’s role.
Agreed action and handover: Helps prevent a gap when responsibility passes between services.
4. An example
Fictional example, not an account of North Cestrian or a particular child.
Please confirm whether the next step sits with the SENCO, the council SEND team or a health professional, and who will contact them.
5. Your next step
Ask the school office for the current SENCO contact. Find independent advice if responsibilities remain unclear.
Common roles in plain English
- Teacher: discusses classroom learning and day-to-day support.
- SENCO: coordinates school SEN support and works with staff and families.
- Educational psychologist: contributes psychological assessment and advice about learning and development; does not alone decide EHCP entitlement.
- Council SEND officer: handles allocated EHCP processes; ask about their responsibility and decision-making route.
- Health professionals: assess or support health needs within their service; a diagnosis is not a substitute for a school support plan.
- SENDIASS: provides SEND information, advice and support independently of the school’s decision-making.
Copy a preparation template
Complete your own copy outside this website. Use only the headings that help; the explanation above shows why each matters.
Who does what? — PRIVATE PREPARATION NOTE Person, role and organisation: [Your note] Question or referral purpose: [Your note] Agreed action and handover: [Your note] Main question or action requested: [Your note] Agreed follow-up: [Your note]
Check the guidance
Guidance checked 14 October 2026. Check current rules before formal action.