QTS SEND Code of Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'assess, plan, do, review' cycle in the graduated approach?
- A cyclical process of assessing need, planning provision, implementing it, and reviewing its impact (Correct answer)
- A one-off assessment process completed at the start of the year
- A process only for pupils with EHCPs
- A method used only by the SENCO
Correct answer: A cyclical process of assessing need, planning provision, implementing it, and reviewing its impact
The assess-plan-do-review cycle is a dynamic, cyclical process that all teachers use to identify and meet SEND needs, continually refining provision based on evidence of impact.
Question 2: Under the SEND Code of Practice, who has parental rights for a child with an EHCP?
- The parent or carer with parental responsibility (Correct answer)
- The SENCO
- The local authority
- The headteacher
Correct answer: The parent or carer with parental responsibility
Parental responsibility sits with parents or carers — they have statutory rights to be involved in EHCP reviews, request assessments, and appeal decisions to the SEND Tribunal.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'Person-Centred Review' for a pupil with an EHCP?
- To place the pupil's own views, wishes, and aspirations at the centre of planning their education and support (Correct answer)
- To assess the teacher's effectiveness
- To determine funding allocation only
- To decide whether to remove the EHCP
Correct answer: To place the pupil's own views, wishes, and aspirations at the centre of planning their education and support
Person-centred reviews ensure that the pupil's own voice, views, and aspirations are central to planning, reflecting the SEND Code's emphasis on pupil participation and co-production.
Question 4: Which body can parents appeal to if they disagree with a local authority's EHCP decision?
- The First-tier Tribunal (SEND) (Correct answer)
- The High Court
- Ofsted
- The school's governing body
Correct answer: The First-tier Tribunal (SEND)
Parents can appeal EHCP decisions — including refusal to assess, refusal to issue, or the contents of a plan — to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).
Question 5: What does 'inclusive education' mean in the context of the SEND Code of Practice?
- Ensuring all pupils with SEND can access education in mainstream settings where possible and appropriate (Correct answer)
- Placing all pupils with SEND in special schools
- Providing separate education for all pupils with disabilities
- Reducing expectations for pupils with SEND
Correct answer: Ensuring all pupils with SEND can access education in mainstream settings where possible and appropriate
The SEND Code promotes inclusion — educating pupils with SEND in mainstream settings where it is in their best interests, with appropriate support, unless this is incompatible with their needs or others' education.
Question 6: Under the Equality Act 2010, what duty do schools have regarding disabled pupils?
- The reasonable adjustments duty — to make changes to avoid substantial disadvantage for disabled pupils (Correct answer)
- To provide a full-time support assistant for every disabled pupil
- To educate disabled pupils separately
- To exempt disabled pupils from all assessments
Correct answer: The reasonable adjustments duty — to make changes to avoid substantial disadvantage for disabled pupils
The Equality Act 2010 requires schools to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled pupils are not put at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled peers.
QTS SEND Code of Practice 2
What is the 'assess, plan, do, review' cycle in the graduated approach?