IEP meeting

Using a checklist for your Individualised Education Program (IEP) meeting is  like your secret weapon for making sure your child receives the support they deserve to thrive in the school environment, it keeps things organised and ensures that your meeting goes smoothly. It helps you express your child's needs clearly, collaborate effectively with the school team, and be a strong advocate for your child's education, making sure they get the assistance they deserve to thrive in school.

This checklist empowers you to navigate the IEP process with confidence.

Before the meeting

Schedule the Meeting:

• Choose a date and time that works well for both you and the representative, ensuring it's convenient for everyone.

Prepare Documents:

• Collect important documents such as your child's medical records, school reports, and notes from previous meetings to have everything you need at your fingertips.

Set Clear Goals:

• Decide what you want to achieve during the meeting. What are the key things you want to discuss and address?

Review Your Child's Needs:

• Make sure you have a good understanding of your child's current needs, challenges, and how they're doing in school. This will help set you up for a productive meeting.

During the meeting

Get to Know Each Other:

• Begin by introducing yourself and your child. Take some time to understand the representative and their role.

Share Your Child's Story:

• Talk about your child's background, including their medical history, diagnoses, and recent updates.

Current Supports:

• Discuss the services and support your child is currently receiving, both formal (like therapy and education) and informal (like family support).

Highlight Concerns:

• Bring up any concerns or challenges your child is facing, as well as any changes in their condition or circumstances.

Goals and Aspirations:

• Share your child's goals and dreams for the future. What do you hope they'll achieve?

Review Documents:

• Bring along any important documents, like medical reports or school progress reports, to support your conversation

Got questions, ask away:

• Feel free to ask the representative any questions you have or request more info on any topic. It's all about getting the information you need.
  

After the meeting

What next:

• Write down any important to-dos or promises made during the meeting – it's like making your post-meeting checklist.

Follow-Up Plan:

• Discuss and agree on a plan for follow-up actions and timelines.
  

Ask for meeting notes:

• If it makes sense, ask if you can get meeting notes or a quick summary from the representative – just so you can have a recap of what happened.

Stay in touch:

Swap contact info with the representative to keep the communication going.

Review periodically

Keep the Connection Going:

• Plan regular follow-up meetings to see how things are going and make any tweaks needed in your child's support plan.

Stay in the Know:

• Stay up-to-date on any policy or service changes that might affect your child's situation.

Speak Up for Your Child:

• Remember to keep speaking up for your child's needs and rights. If you ever need a hand, don't hesitate to reach out to the representative – they're here to help!

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