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Introduction
Local authority SEND teams (often called SEND casework teams, EHCP coordinators, or assessment & review teams) hold a wide range of statutory, multi‑agency and child‑specific information which can be highly relevant when there are concerns of child sexual abuse. Their records provide a detailed picture of a child’s learning profile, communication needs, vulnerabilities, and the support already in place across education, health and social care.
SEND records often contain unique and early indicators which may not be recorded anywhere else –particularly communication difficulties, emotional or behavioural changes, or parental struggles which can increase a child’s vulnerability. They can also explain why a child may be having difficulty communicating about their experiences, and provide information about how they communicate distress, and what adjustments are needed to ensure their voice is heard. Sharing information from these records is essential for risk assessment, contextual understanding, and coordinated multi-agency safeguarding.
SEND Teams are responsible for preparing, maintaining and reviewing EHCPs. These statutory plans set out:
- the child’s special educational needs and diagnosis(es)
- their developmental, learning, communication and social needs
- outcomes sought for the child across education, health and social care
- detailed descriptions of the provision required, including communication support, supervision arrangements, therapies, and specialist input
- information about the child’s placement and setting, including any adjustments the school must make
- contributions from health, social care, schools, educational psychologists, and other specialists.
This information helps practitioners to understand how the child communicates, how they express distress, and what support they need to engage safely in assessments or investigations.
SEND Teams also hold all the documents gathered during an EHC needs assessment, such as:
- educational psychology advice
- reports from speech & language, occupational therapy, or child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
- school descriptions of behaviour, engagement and communication
- the child’s views, and the views of their parent(s)/carer(s)
- reports from social care if the child is supported under section 17.
These records can contain rich contextual information which may reveal missed concerns, changes in behaviour over time, or communication barriers that make a child particularly vulnerable to abuse.
SEND Teams hold information about:
- the child’s previous and current school placements
- reasons for moves, exclusions or reduced timetables
- disputes or concerns raised by schools
- transport arrangements and supervision needs.
This can help identify additional adults in the child’s network, gaps in supervision, or points of vulnerability (e.g. transport escorts, alternative provision settings).
Where the child’s siblings also have EHCPs or are undergoing assessment, the SEND Team may hold:
- information about wider family vulnerabilities
- parental support needs
- health or developmental conditions that increase risk.
This can help build a whole‑family picture in multi‑agency assessments.