A comprehensive guide to the key frameworks covered in our recent webinar - your handy reference for developing effective SEND outcomes
Introduction
Creating meaningful outcomes for children and young people with SEND is at the heart of effective practice. Our recent webinar brought together leading experts to share proven frameworks and practical approaches that truly make a difference. This guide summarises the key insights and frameworks covered, providing you with a comprehensive reference tool for your daily practice.
The expert panel
Our webinar featured three distinguished professionals sharing their expertise:
Rachael Wilcox - Designated Professional SEND Manager, NHS England
Carole Lewis - SEND and Inclusion Consultant
Freyr Bendleton - SENCO, Safeguarding Lead and Former SEND Information, Advice and Support Service Manager
The Foundation: quality improvement vs quality assurance
Quality improvement focuses on making services safe, effective and person-centred, leading to measurable improvements in care and better outcomes for children and young people.
Quality assurance is the process of measuring against quality standards and expectations to determine fitness for purpose (such as QA of EHCPs or clinical pathways).
The eight key principles
The co-produced SEND quality improvement framework centres on eight fundamental principles that define what 'good' quality looks and feels like:
Person-centred approach - Services designed around the individual
Co-production - Meaningful involvement of families and young people
Timely access - Services available when needed
Coordinated care - Seamless working across agencies
Effective communication - Clear, consistent information sharing
Framework 2: The graduated approach to effective outcomes
Assessment of needs - The foundation
Effective outcomes start with comprehensive assessment using three types:
Formative assessment - Ongoing evaluation to inform teaching and support
Summative assessment - End-point evaluation of learning and progress
Diagnostic assessment - Pre-assessment to identify prior knowledge and areas for development
The power of collaborative practice
Research consistently shows that multi-agency collaboration significantly improves outcomes:
Educational benefits:
Better engagement and achievement
Improved mental and physical health outcomes
Greater independence and life skills development
Smoother transitions into adulthood and employment
Reduced risk of exclusion
Key success factors:
Dedicated key workers enhance coordination
Strong relationships between schools and external professionals
Pupil-centred, collaborative approaches lead to more accurate needs identification
Team Around the Child (TAC) Model
When to use TAC:
Complex needs requiring multiple service input
Early intervention before EHCP consideration
Supporting key transitions
Key Features:
Multi-agency collaboration with the child and family at the centre
Shared goals and outcomes
Regular review meetings
Development of a 'My Support Plan'
Benefits:
Reduces duplication and gaps in support
Builds trust between families and professionals
Ensures timely, consistent and effective support
Framework 3: The outcome sandwich structure
The three essential components
This practical framework ensures outcomes are comprehensive and meaningful:
Top slice: "By..." (Timeline)
Realistic timescale aligned with review periods
Includes the child's name for personalisation
Should align with term endings, academic years, or key stages
Filling: "Will be able to..." (Observable skill)
Specific skill or behaviour the child will develop
Must be measurable through observation or assessment
Directly linked to provision in Section F of the EHCP
Bottom slice: "So that..." (Purpose and impact)
Explains how this development helps the child move toward their aspirations
Connects to real-life function and independence
Links to Preparation for Adulthood where appropriate
Practical example
Primary need: Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Aspiration: Nyla wants to feel calmer in school and be able to talk to adults when upset
Outcome: "By the end of the summer term, Nyla will identify and name three different emotions during daily check-ins, so that she can express her emotional needs and access support before becoming overwhelmed."
Section A - Child's views, interests and aspirations
Section B - Special educational needs identified
Section E - Outcomes that address the needs
Section F - Provision to achieve the outcomes
Long-term vs short-term outcomes
Long-term outcomes:
Reviewed annually as part of the EHCP review
Should be ambitious yet achievable
Connect to Preparation for Adulthood themes
Short-term outcomes:
Reviewed termly or half-termly
Support progress toward long-term goals
Inform day-to-day teaching and support strategies
Case study: Ella's journey
Primary need: Cognition and Learning
Aspiration: To become an author or illustrator
Long-term outcome: "By the end of Key Stage 2, Ella will independently use assistive technology to plan, write, and revise written tasks of up to 300 words, in order to fully participate in literacy-based lessons and demonstrate her learning effectively."
Short-term outcome: "By the end of Term 1, Ella will use predictive text tools to complete a 100-word writing task with adult support, in order to develop confidence using assistive technology."
Framework 5: SMART outcomes with impact
Beyond basic SMART criteria
While outcomes must be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound), they must also be:
Personal - Not expressed from a service perspective
Meaningful - Something those involved have control and influence over
Impactful - Focused on what the child wants to achieve
Aspirational - Building toward independence and future goals
The voice of the child
Meaningful participation requires moving beyond tokenism to genuine shared decision-making:
Levels of participation:
Child/Young Person initiated and directed
Adult initiated, shared decisions with CYP
CYP consulted and informed
CYP assigned and informed
Tokenism (avoid)
Decoration (avoid)
Manipulation (avoid)
Quality outcome examples
Effective outcomes:
"Will be able to recognise how he feels and express this appropriately"
"Will report finding something enjoyable or having succeeded at something in school every day"
"Will be able to work with a small group of peers and listen to their ideas and opinions even if different from his"
Implementation guidelines
For SEND professionals
Start with aspirations - Always begin with what the child wants to achieve
Use the frameworks - Apply the Outcome Sandwich and Golden Thread approaches systematically
Collaborate effectively - Implement Team Around the Child principles
Review regularly - Use both formative and summative assessment approaches
Measure impact - Focus on outcomes that matter to families, not just services
For annual reviews
Annual reviews are key opportunities to:
Meaningfully involve children and young people in understanding their EHCP
Build shared understanding about support and its purpose
Assess progress toward both long-term and short-term outcomes
Determine if outcomes remain appropriate and ambitious
Adjust provision to better meet identified needs
Quality assurance considerations
When reviewing outcomes, consider:
Are they written from the child's perspective?
Do they connect clearly to identified needs?
Are they ambitious yet achievable?
Do they link to appropriate provision?
Will progress be measurable?
Do they contribute to long-term aspirations?
Key takeaways
Frameworks provide structure but the child's voice and aspirations must remain central
Collaboration across agencies consistently improves outcomes for children and young people
Quality improvement focuses on meaningful impact for families, not just service metrics
Regular review and adjustment ensures outcomes remain relevant and ambitious
Practical tools like the Outcome Sandwich make complex processes more manageable
Resources and further support
SEND quality improvement framework - Available through Council for Disabled Children
SEND Code of Practice 2015 - Statutory guidance on outcomes (paragraphs 9.64-9.69)
Supporting SEND Research Report 2021 - Evidence on collaborative approaches
This guide summarises the key frameworks from our webinar on impact-driven SEND outcomes. Keep it handy as a reference tool for developing outcomes that truly transform lives and effectively track progress.
Full access to the webinar recording is available on our YouTube channel and presentation slides can be viewed here.
Ensure you're signed up for webinar notifications so you're first to know about our next webinar in September on EHCP templates - exploring a national / regional template.
About Invision360: With over 20 years of experience in the LA SEND sector, Invision360 provides award-winning quality assurance software and AI-powered EHCP drafting modules to 60+ local authorities nationally. Our passion is improving outcomes for children and young people through smarter, faster, and completely secure solutions.
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