For adoptive, kinship and special guardianship families
Many adopted and previously looked-after children have needs linked to early adversity that can be overlooked or described as "behaviour" or "parenting".
Needs our prompts help you describe
Developmental trauma, attachment difficulties, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), sensory processing differences, emotional dysregulation and hypervigilance — and how they affect learning and school life.
Using therapy reports as evidence
Assessments and therapy reports, including those funded through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, may be useful evidence. Ask the professional whether they're happy for their report to be shared.
Who else can help
Your local Virtual School Head has duties towards previously looked-after children and may be able to advise the school. Adoption UK, Kinship and IPSEA also offer support.
This is general information and a self-help draft, not legal advice. Check every fact, and consider asking IPSEA, your local SENDIASS or a solicitor to review before you submit anything.