Sometimes the hardest part of getting support is finding the right words. Copy these templates and adapt with your child's details, dates and professional reports.
Read them as starting points, not legal documents — keep wording calm, factual and child-focused.
| Template / Phrase | Wording | How to Use | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| referral request | I am worried about my child's movement, muscle tone, pain/fatigue and development. Please refer them for a child development/paediatric assessment and physiotherapy/ input. | Use when concerns are not being taken seriously. | Health |
| School support request | My child has cerebral palsy/suspected cerebral palsy and is struggling with mobility, fatigue, pain and access to learning. Please arrange a Support meeting and put support in writing using assess-plan-do-review. | Send to /headteacher. | Education |
| assessment request opening | I am requesting an Education, Health and Care needs assessment because my child needs more support than is currently available through Support. | Add evidence list after this. | |
| needs wording mobility | My child can walk short distances but experiences pain, fatigue and falls. They need planned rest breaks, reduced walking across site, safe access to toilets/classrooms, adult support during transitions and consideration of mobility equipment for longer distances. | Useful where child is walking but not coping. | / |
| provision wording physio | A physiotherapist should provide a written school programme, reviewed at least termly, with school staff trained to deliver daily/weekly exercises as specified in the programme. | Replace frequency with professional recommendation. | |
| provision wording | An occupational therapist should assess seating, handwriting/access to recording work, personal care, classroom access and equipment, and provide a written plan with staff training. | Make provision specific and quantified. | |
| care wording | My child needs more help than a child of the same age with dressing, toileting, bathing, eating, moving safely, managing pain/fatigue and being supervised to prevent falls/injury. | Use real examples with times and frequency. | |
| mobility wording | Although my child can walk, they cannot walk reliably, safely, repeatedly or without severe discomfort for longer distances. They fall/trip, tire quickly, need adult support and may need wheelchair/buggy support for distance. | Do not just say 'can walk'. Explain what happens when they walk. | |
| School transport wording | Because of CP-related fatigue, pain, falls and safety risks, my child cannot reasonably walk the route to school or manage public transport without significant adult support. | Add professional evidence and route details. | Transport |
| Pain diary headings | Date, time, activity before pain, pain signs, words used, body area, medication, rest needed, school missed, sleep impact, recovery time. | Use as evidence for , paediatrician, school and . | Evidence |
| Fatigue diary headings | Distance walked, stairs, PE, school day, after-school collapse, rest needed, behaviour changes, pain, sleep, next-day impact. | Useful for children who mask or push through. | Evidence |
| School meeting question | What support is being provided now, how often, by whom, what evidence shows it is working, and what happens when support is not available? | Good for reviews. | Education |
Sources: , NICE (NG62 & NG119), Scope, Contact, GOV.UK, , Citizens Advice. Always check linked organisations for the latest information.