Families can adapt this wording to their own child's real needs and evidence.
| Use case | Example wording | How to use it | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| care - communication | My child needs much more support than other children their age to understand instructions, communicate needs, make choices and stay safe. They often need visual prompts, repeated explanation, signing/pictures and adult interpretation. | Use examples: meals, toileting, school, shops, bedtime, pain/illness, road safety. | Benefits |
| care - supervision | They require frequent supervision because they may not recognise danger, may follow others, may become overwhelmed, or may not be able to explain what is wrong. | Avoid saying 'fine most of the time' without explaining hidden support. | Benefits |
| night needs | At night they need support with settling, waking, toileting, breathing/sleep concerns, reassurance, safety checks or returning to bed. | Keep a two-week night diary. | Benefits |
| mobility | Although my child can walk, they cannot safely manage outdoor journeys like a child of the same age because they need adult guidance, reassurance, supervision and help with route changes, traffic, fatigue and distress. | Walking ability alone is not the whole test. | Benefits |
| daily living | They need prompting, supervision or assistance to complete daily living tasks reliably, safely, repeatedly and within a reasonable time. | Use real examples and explain consequences without help. | Benefits |
| needs wording | The pupil has significant speech, language and communication needs linked to Down's syndrome, including delayed expressive language, reduced speech clarity, working-memory difficulties and need for visual support. | Put needs in Section B and provision in Section F. | Education |
| provision wording | The pupil requires a total communication approach across the school day, including visual timetable, now/next board, key vocabulary visuals, processing time, staff trained in their communication system and daily opportunities to practise functional communication. | Make it specific and measurable. | Education |
| School adjustment wording | Instructions should be given in short steps with visual support and time to process. Staff should check understanding without putting the pupil on the spot publicly. | Practical and respectful. | Education |
| support wording | Adult support should be planned to enable access, safety, communication and independence while also facilitating peer interaction and avoiding unnecessary isolation. | Avoid blanket with no purpose. | Education |
| Medical care plan wording | School should maintain a written health care plan covering relevant cardiac/respiratory/feeding/hearing/vision/sleep/toileting or emergency needs, with named staff responsibilities and review dates. | Add professional letters. | Education/Health |
| Social care request | I am requesting an assessment because my child's disability creates significant care, supervision, safety, personal care and family support needs that are beyond ordinary parenting tasks. | Give evidence of day/night care and impact on siblings/parents. | Social Care |
| Complaint/chase wording | Please confirm in writing what action will be taken, who is responsible, the timescale, and how this will be reviewed. | Keep email records and dates. | General |