SEND · 7 min read
Individual Education Plan Template for UK SEND Pupils
A DfE-aligned IEP template with SMART targets, provision, review dates and guidance for SENCOs and class teachers.
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a practical working document for a pupil with SEND. It sets out the pupil’s needs, the targets they are working towards, the provision they will receive, and how progress will be reviewed. Unlike an EHCP, an IEP is managed by the school and is usually reviewed each term.
This free IEP template follows UK SEND guidance and is designed for SENCOs, class teachers, and teaching assistants.
Individual Education Plan template
| Section | What to record |
|---|---|
| Pupil name / ID | Use anonymised identifiers where your data policy requires it. |
| Area of need | Cognition and learning, communication and interaction, social and emotional, sensory and physical. |
| Strengths | What the pupil can do well. Start with strengths. |
| Current barriers | The specific difficulties that affect learning. |
| SMART targets | Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. |
| Provision | Who will do what, when, and how often. |
| Review date | Usually each term. |
Writing SMART targets
Weak target: “Pupil will improve writing.”
Strong target: “By 20 October, Pupil A will use capital letters and full stops in 4 out of 5 sentences in a short written task, supported by a visual checklist.”
Strong targets name the behaviour, the support, the measure, and the deadline. They make it easy to review whether the provision is working.
Why IEPs matter
A well-written IEP keeps provision consistent. When a teacher, teaching assistant, SENCO, and parent can all read the same document, the pupil gets the same support across settings. It also creates a record of what has been tried and what has worked.
For a more complete SEND workflow, the Teachers.guide Digital Individual Support Plan links targets, provision, and review dates into one school-controlled record. It also connects to class provision maps and lesson planning so adaptations are not forgotten.
Who should write the IEP?
The SENCO usually co-ordinates it, but the class teacher, teaching assistant, and parents should contribute. The pupil’s voice should also be included where possible.
How often should an IEP be reviewed?
At least termly. Some pupils with more complex needs may need half-termly reviews.
Is an IEP a legal document?
No. An IEP is an internal school document. An EHCP is the statutory plan. However, an IEP should still be treated seriously, as part of the school’s duty to make provision for pupils with SEND.
See the Educational Intelligence Layer in practice
One joined-up operating system for planning, teaching, SEND, assessment, leadership and family engagement – grounded in your school's own curriculum and policies.