Tools that may help

This form can help you to

• gather your thoughts before a meeting
• remember what you want to ask and say
• record the main things discussed and what is agreed.
  
  

It can help you if you use the form for most meetings, so you have a record of progress and any action taken.

It includes space to record 

1. What is going well for your child at home and in school or college.
2. What your child or young person’s views are.
3. Any difficulties you would like to talk about.
4. Questions you want to ask teachers or other professionals.

Parents tell us that sometimes they know that their child has extra difficulties but they are often not sure what is important for professionals to know or what to say. Children also have particular strengths that it’s helpful for professionals to know about too.

You can use this form if you want or need to share information with professionals about family life at home and in the wider community. It can help you to think about your child and the things they do, or don’t do, and to get that information down on paper.

We have included some ideas to get you started with your thinking– things your child may do or specific kinds of behaviours. They are a guide only and not all will be appropriate for your child and their stage of development.

You can share all or part of the information in the form with professionals as needed and it may be helpful when you are filling in assessment or referral forms.

It’s a good idea to add information to it over a period of time, as you notice things. When you do that, include a date so you know when something was added or started.

This form can help you bring important information about your child together in one place.

You can use it to help when you are filling out forms, asking for help or talking to professionals who do not know your child. That could be for things like assessments, completing a Disability Living Allowance form or asking for an autism assessment for your child.

You might find it helpful to fill out a new form each year or update the form each year, being clear what is new information. That way you will have a great record of what happens year to year, which you can refer to when you need it.

This form is a one page profile to help you share important information about your child, and the kind of support that is likely to work at home or school.

It might be helpful to share with new staff, such as teachers, teaching assistants, club leaders, support staff and your child’s SENCO.

The form includes notes on what to include and space to write down your child’s

• strengths and difficulties
• triggers and soothers,
• communication needs
• anything that your child says helps them

The Three Islands tool is a simple way to help your child or young person share what they think and feel about their lives.

You can use it to help them talk about home, school or both.

It can help your child to share what they think about:

• the support they already have
• what has worked or not worked for them
• what help they would like and who should give it
• any risks, strengths, hopes and dreams
  
  

The document contains step-by-step instructions for how to use the tool and tips to help you get the most out of it.

Like the Three Islands tool above, the Three Houses tool is a simple way to help your child share what they think and feel about their lives.

You can use it to help them talk about home, school or both.

The document contains step-by-step instructions for how to use the tool and tips to help you get the most out of it.