A Student Support Plan (SSP) is one of the most useful documents in a child’s school life, and one of the most daunting to write. It doesn’t need to be.

In Irish primary schools, the SSP sits within the Student Support File and the NEPS Continuum of Support: Classroom Support, School Support and School Support Plus. Whatever the level, a good plan answers the same simple questions.

1. Start with the child’s strengths

What does the child enjoy? What are they good at? Strengths aren’t a nice extra. They’re the tools you’ll use to build the plan.

2. Describe the need in plain words

Write what you actually see, not a label. “Finds it hard to start written tasks without an adult nearby” is far more useful than “struggles with literacy”.

3. Set two or three clear targets

Fewer is better. Each target should be specific, measurable and achievable within the review period. “Will start a written task independently in 3 out of 5 lessons” is something you can actually check.

4. Agree the supports

Who will do what, and when? Include classroom strategies, any extra teaching time, and what parents can do at home.

5. Plan the review

Set the review date before you finish. Then look at what worked, what didn’t, and adjust. Our free SSP Planning Worksheet and SSP Review and Update Sheet take you through each step.

What teachers say

“Really enjoyed this course. From a school leader’s perspective the course offered practical and realistic strategies in further enhancing inclusion in a whole school setting. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in particular offered a new perspective in developing more enhanced inclusive practices at an incremental level. Aoife’s passionate and practical approach in facilitating this course was excellent. Thank you!”

Noel, school leader, on Equal Education for All

Go deeper

Equal Education for All is our online EPV summer course on inclusion and Universal Design for Learning. It’s done online, at your own pace. See Equal Education for All or browse all our EPV summer courses.

Free downloads in this post: SSP Planning Worksheet · SSP Review and Update Sheet