Rulebook · What a plan is checked against

Outcomes describe the benefit or difference provision should make for the child or young person, and should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.

Type of rule

Code of Practice: should (follow unless there is a good reason not to)

Checks that look for it

• Outcome describes support, not a difference
• Outcome has no timeframe
• Outcome may be hard to measure
• Wording could be firmer
• Need with no linked outcome
• Outcome not linked to a need

Rule id

req.plan.e_outcomes

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

Sources

• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.66Code of Practice: should (follow unless there is a good reason not to)
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.61Code of Practice: should (follow unless there is a good reason not to)

All requirements