Evidence-Based
Family Toolkit

School Advocacy Toolkit

Free printable resources to help you explain your child’s needs and get the right support at school.
FASD Compass · fasdcompass.co.uk/school-toolkit/
FASD is often a hidden disability. Teachers may not see the difficulties you see at home, and good speech can hide real problems with understanding and memory. These free resources help you explain your child’s needs and ask for the right support. Your child does not need a diagnosis to get help at school.

🏫 For teachers and SENCOs: share the FASD School Support Toolkit with your child’s school. It has a classroom support plan generator, a behaviour guide and printable templates.

Free Downloads

🙋One-page pupil profile
A page about your child to fill in together: strengths, what is hard, what helps, signs of stress and how to help. Or create a typed version with the Personalised Support Plan.

⬇️ Download pupil profile
📄Teacher information sheet
A one-page guide to FASD in the classroom. What it is, what teachers may notice, strategies that help and what to avoid.

⬇️ Download teacher sheet
✅Reasonable adjustments checklist
Practical adjustments to discuss with school, from seating and instructions to break times, homework and exams.

⬇️ Download checklist
🗂️SENCO meeting preparation guide
What to do before, during and after a meeting, with questions to ask and space to write what was agreed.

⬇️ Download meeting guide

Your Child’s Rights

⚖️Support does not need a diagnosis
In England, the legal definition of special educational needs does not require a diagnosis (IPSEA). Support should be based on what your child needs. In England, Scotland and Wales, schools also have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.
🏫Start with SEN support
Talk to the class teacher and SENCO first. Ask what support is in place, who will provide it and when it will be reviewed. Schools should plan, do and review support with you. Keep notes of every meeting.

EHC Plans in England

1
Ask for an EHC needs assessment
If SEN support is not enough, you can write to the local authority yourself and ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. You do not need the school’s agreement. The local authority must assess if your child has or may have special educational needs and may need an EHC plan (Children and Families Act 2014, section 36). IPSEA has a free template letter. You can also use our template letter.
2
Know the timescales
The local authority must tell you within 6 weeks whether it will assess. If it goes ahead, the final EHC plan should be issued within 20 weeks of your request.
3
Give FASD-informed evidence
Send reports, your diary and the pupil profile. You can ask the local authority to seek advice from professionals such as a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or CAMHS (National FASD). Ask for outcomes and provision to be specific, not vague.
4
If the answer is no
If the local authority refuses to assess or issue a plan, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. You usually need to consider mediation first. Free advice is available from IPSEA and your local SENDIASS (find your local service).
5
Annual reviews and growing up
EHC plans must be reviewed at least once a year. From Year 9, reviews must include preparing for adulthood. A plan can continue up to age 25 if the young person stays in education or training.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

📍Scotland
Support comes under the Additional Support for Learning Act. Children with complex needs that are likely to last more than a year, and that need support from another agency such as health or social work, may have a Coordinated Support Plan (Scottish Government). Free advice: Enquire.
📍Wales
Children with additional learning needs are entitled to an Individual Development Plan (IDP), reviewed at least every 12 months (Welsh Government parent toolkit). Free advice: SNAP Cymru.
📍Northern Ireland
Children with significant needs may have a statutory assessment by the Education Authority, which can lead to a statement of special educational needs. Free, independent advice: SENAC, advice line 028 9079 5779.
Sources: IPSEA: ipsea.org.uk · National FASD: nationalfasd.org.uk/learn-more/wellbeing/know-your-rights/education · Enquire: enquire.org.uk · SNAP Cymru: snapcymru.org · SENAC: senac.co.uk

Last reviewed: November 2026 by Dr Inyang Takon, Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician. For information only. This page does not replace advice from your own doctor.