How long to expect an answer

[purpleme12]

If I've emailed the SENCO requesting a call about my child's needs, how long is reasonable to expect a response?

What is the next step? Should I have contacted her form tutor? Although obviously I will need his input as he knows her better than the SENCO, I will need the SENCO's input anyway.

Should I now just email them both?

Depends when you emailed.

Most schools have a policy about reply times and probably you received an auto-response email with this info or you can access the school's policies via the website.
Generally, at many schools, staff are expected to respond within 24 hrs to acknowledge receipt of your initial email. But if you only emailed today, that translates into Monday afternoon.

There is then a further expectation for school staff on how promptly they will respond with specific information - perhaps 48hrs - to give them time to contact other colleagues, if necessary, to give you a more comprehensive answer.

Since it's Friday evening, I think a reasonable expectation would be Monday afternoon. If you're in the US, Monday is a holiday so Tuesday afternoon at earliest. Please don't email them again tonight at 7pm on Friday ...

Depends why you emailed, like what about your child's needs? If it's something like can she have extra time in exams, they will be processing this information at the moment, I'd give them a week at least as her name will go on to a long list of people they need to see.

If it's something like your child has come home upset because she's being bullied, they should reply by Monday afternoon.

I know it depends when I emailed that's why I was asking how long is reasonable to wait for an answer.

No I didn't get an automated response.

I sent it on Thursday morning before the school day. I didn't go into more information because I'd like to speak over the phone really. At least initially.

I didn't think about them having response time policies, could look at website.

But sounds like it's fair enough to chase this up on Monday now

Perhaps I'll email the form tutor as well this time