Give families a usable next step
Signpost to the right person, setting or Local Offer page rather than a broad list of links.
Resources to signpost families clearly
Use SENDadvisor to signpost families to reliable local information, services, schools and practical guides.
What matters at this stage
Signpost to the right person, setting or Local Offer page rather than a broad list of links.
Explain the purpose of a process and the first action a family can take before using specialist terms.
Clear contact routes and accurate service listings reduce the work families must do when they are already under pressure.
In the everyday
Choose a starting point
Related SENDadvisor guides
Looking ahead
When signposting, leave families with the name of the person to contact and the one thing to ask for first.
Checked against official guidance
This page is a practical signposting guide, not legal or medical advice. We check its age-stage framing against the sources below and review linked guidance separately.