Assessments / Advice & next steps
Sensory needs and school support
Sensory needs can feel overwhelming, but many effective adjustments are simple changes to the environment. Focus on identifying the triggers that impact your child's day-to-day comfort and stability.
Quick answer
Explore sensory adjustments through school partnerships first. Focus on identifying the specific environments or triggers that cause the most distress and discuss these with the SENCO.
What this means
Sensory processing is individual. The goal is to ensure the school environment is as accessible as possible. This guide focuses on how to have clear conversations with school staff about what sensory adjustments—such as quiet spaces, movement breaks, or equipment—might help.
Adjustments are often simple. By observing your child's sensory preferences at home, you can suggest similar approaches for school, such as noise-cancelling headphones, a specific desk location, or structured movement breaks. These classroom-based changes often provide immediate relief.
Schools have a duty to consider inclusive environments. The Local Offer for your area explains how schools should meet diverse sensory needs. Speak to the SENCO about the school’s current strategies before considering private sensory profiles.
Questions to ask
What sensory environments seem to cause the most distress?
What adaptations at home currently help my child stay regulated?
Has the school trialled movement breaks or quiet areas?
How can the teacher monitor the impact of sensory adjustments?
Local Northamptonshire route
Both North and West Northamptonshire Local Offers provide guidance on inclusive education. Your local SENDIASS service can offer free advice on how to ask schools for sensory adjustments.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Professional assessment is optional. If you go this route, choose a practitioner with sensory expertise. Their report should focus on actionable adjustments that the school can realistically implement.
What happens next?
Implement and observe the new adjustments. If they help, make them a formal part of your child’s support plan. If not, use the observations to discuss alternative options with the SENCO.
Support that may help
School SENCO; SENDIASS; Occupational Therapists (HCPC registered); Educational Psychologists.
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.