Advice for families
It is essential that newly arrived families from overseas gather as much evidence relating to their child’s circumstances before moving to England.
- Plan ahead! Make sure you have collected all the evidence from any education or healthcare professionals who have been involved with your child’s education and care. Bring both paper and digital copies. If possible, bring translated copies where appropriate. This may include medical reports, Educational Psychologist reports, educational observations, any therapies the child may have been receiving, together with any supporting evidence of the reasons your child is accessing specialist services.
- After arriving in Warwickshire, register with a GP who can advise on health care planning. Early contact is vital and can result in a smoother transition and quicker access to any service or therapy, or placement on a waiting list for that care.
- Be prepared to have to repeat some assessments and observations that your child may have already received in your home country. This is common practice in England for those families coming from overseas because diagnoses made overseas may not always be accepted in England.
- Inform the school if English is not your child’s first language. Being honest about their level of English will help the school put in the right level of support for your child.
- It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the healthcare services available in your area and the types of child therapies and treatments available. View the NHS website and the range of services available in Warwickshire.
Understandably moving to England is an extremely busy and challenging time. Any prior preparation, collation of evidence and forward planning you can achieve, will make the transition easier once you are living in England.
Top Tips from Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice
Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice (WPCV) is an independent, parent carer led organisation for everyone with a child or children with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0 -25. View Parent Carer Voice’s top tips.
Visit Warwickshire SEND information, advice and support (SENDIASS) service for free independent advice and support for families with SEND in Warwickshire.