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SEN Profiles - sometimes called learner profiles, one-page profiles, or individual learning summaries - provide a concise, accessible overview of a pupil’s strengths, needs, and recommended strategies. They are essential tools for communication across school staff, ensuring everyone who works with the pupil understands how best to support them.
A strong SEN Profile begins with the pupil’s strengths. Highlighting what the child enjoys, excels at, or feels confident about helps staff build positive relationships. This strengths-based approach also encourages the pupil to see themselves as capable and valued, which boosts motivation and self-esteem.
The profile then outlines the pupil’s needs, including academic challenges, sensory differences, emotional triggers, communication preferences, or medical considerations. This section should be concise but clear, using accessible language so it can be quickly understood by any adult who reads it.
Next, SEN Profiles include a section on strategies that work well. These might involve instructions being broken down, the use of visual supports, access to a calm space, or specific behavioural approaches. This section ensures continuity across lessons and staff, reducing confusion for the pupil and reinforcing supportive routines. For teachers, it is a practical guide that saves time and reduces guesswork.
Personalised targets or next steps can also be included, aligning with larger plans such as SEND Support Plans or EHCP outcomes. These targets help track progress and ensure interventions remain purposeful and relevant.
One of the most important features of an SEN Profile is pupil voice. When pupils contribute to their profile - describing what helps them, what worries them, or what they want teachers to know - they feel empowered and respected. Their input also provides unique insights that may not appear in formal assessments.
Involving parents and carers strengthens the profile further. They can share strategies that work at home, identify triggers, and provide context about their child’s needs. Regular dialogue ensures the profile remains accurate and up-to-date.
SEN Profiles must be living documents - reviewed regularly and updated as the pupil grows, develops, or experiences new challenges. They should be easily accessible to all staff, including supply teachers, lunchtime supervisors, and support staff. Many schools store them digitally and provide quick, secure access so that key adults can refer to them when planning or responding to pupil needs.
Using SEN Profiles effectively promotes consistency, improves pupil wellbeing, and strengthens the relationship between school and home. They encourage reflective, personalised teaching rather than a “one size fits all” approach. Most importantly, they recognise each child as an individual with unique strengths, preferences, and aspirations.