How to Use Outdoor Learning to Support Regulation, Access and Inclusion
Looking for a simple way to create an outdoor SEND care plan? This guide helps teachers, SENDCos, teaching assistants and school staff plan outdoor learning that supports regulation, sensory needs, communication, movement, behaviour and curriculum access. New to this? Read our Beginners Guide to Outdoor SEND Ideas and Activities.
An outdoor SEND care plan does not need to be complicated. It is simply a clear plan that helps staff understand how a child can access outdoor learning safely, calmly and successfully.
For some children, the outdoors can be a place of freedom, movement and confidence. For others, it can feel noisy, unpredictable or overwhelming. A care plan helps make outdoor learning inclusive, purposeful and supportive.
The goal is not to make every child do the same thing outside. The goal is to help every child access learning in a way that works for them. Take a 60-day free trial to download resources now.
Quick Answer: What Is an Outdoor SEND Care Plan?
An outdoor SEND care plan is a simple support plan that explains how a child’s needs will be met during outdoor learning. It may include information about sensory needs, regulation strategies, communication support, movement needs, safe spaces, adult support, transitions and any adaptations needed outside.
An outdoor SEND care plan can help staff understand:
what helps the child feel safe outdoors
what might overwhelm the child
how the child communicates discomfort
what regulation strategies work
what adaptations are needed
what equipment may help
how to support transitions outside and back inside
what the child enjoys outdoors
how to help the child access learning successfully
It gives staff confidence and helps children feel understood.
We have lots of idea packs for dysregulated children and ideas to do this outdoors – Top 10 ways to support Rysregulated Children Outdoors.
10 Outdoor Ideas for Dysregulated Children
New to Outdoor SEND Care Plans? Start Here
If writing an outdoor SEND care plan feels overwhelming, start with three questions. Take a 60-day free trial to download resources now.
What helps this child feel calm and safe outdoors?
What makes outdoor learning difficult for this child?
What small adjustments would help them join in?
You do not need a long document. A one-page plan can be enough.
The most useful outdoor SEND care plans are:
simple
practical
easy for staff to read
focused on the child
updated regularly
linked to real outdoor routines
shared with everyone supporting the child
A care plan should not sit in a folder and never be used. It should help staff make better decisions in the moment.
Try This Tomorrow: The Outdoor Support Snapshot
If you only do one thing, create an outdoor support snapshot for one child.
Outdoor Support Snapshot
Time: 10 minutes
Prep: Low
Resources: Paper, digital template or SEND notes
Purpose: To help staff quickly understand how to support the child outside
SEND focus: Regulation, safety, access, inclusion
Write down:
What the child enjoys outdoors
What the child finds difficult outdoors
What helps the child regulate
What adults should say or do
What adults should avoid
Example:
Child enjoys: collecting sticks, watering plants, quiet walks
Finds difficult: noisy playtimes, sudden changes, mud on hands
Helps: gloves, first/then card, calm adult, same route
Adults should: use short instructions and offer choices
Avoid: rushing, shouting across the playground, surprise changes
Why this works
This gives staff a clear, practical starting point. It moves the conversation from “They don’t cope outside” to “What support helps them cope outside?”
That shift matters.
Looking for daily ideas to help keep your children regulated? Discover 10 ways to use the outdoors to keep children regulated.
10 Outdoor Tips Using Nature to Keep Children Regulated
Why Outdoor SEND Care Plans Matter
Outdoor learning can be brilliant for SEND, but only when it is planned with the child in mind. Take a 60-day free trial to download resources now.
Children may have needs linked to:
autism
ADHD
dyslexia
dyspraxia
speech and language
anxiety
SEMH
sensory processing
trauma
physical needs
communication needs
medical needs
Without a plan, outdoor learning can become inconsistent. One adult may know what helps, but another may not. One session may feel successful, while the next feels chaotic.
An outdoor SEND care plan helps create consistency.
It tells adults:
how to prepare the child
how to support them during the session
how to help them regulate
how to adapt the task
how to support the transition back inside
This can reduce anxiety for the child and the adults. For more ideas head to the Outdoor Ideas for SEND Hub.
What Should Be Included in an Outdoor SEND Care Plan?
A useful outdoor SEND care plan may include:
1. Child’s Strengths Outdoors
Start with what works.
For example:
enjoys collecting natural objects
likes watering plants
responds well to movement
enjoys quiet spaces
likes being a helper
communicates well through objects
enjoys building and sorting
This keeps the plan positive and child-centred.
2. Possible Barriers Outdoors
Identify what may be difficult.
For example:
loud playground noise
unexpected changes
wet or muddy textures
crowded spaces
running games
transitions back inside
long verbal instructions
waiting
wind, rain or bright light
This helps staff plan ahead.
3. Regulation Strategies
Include what helps the child calm or stay regulated.
For example:
short sensory walk
breathing by a tree
carrying a small bucket
watering plants
quiet bench
gloves
ear defenders
first/then card
same route each time
4. Communication Support
Explain how the child communicates and what helps.
For example:
uses gestures
points to objects
needs processing time
benefits from visuals
uses now/next language
finds open questions difficult
needs simple choices
5. Safety and Supervision
Include any key safety notes.
For example:
needs adult close by near gates
may run if overwhelmed
needs clear boundaries
benefits from a marked area
needs support with tools
needs warning before transitions
6. Outdoor Learning Adaptations
Explain how learning can be made accessible.
For example:
use large-scale resources
offer movement choices
reduce writing demands
use natural objects
model first
give one instruction at a time
allow non-verbal responses
use repeated routines
For more ideas head to the Outdoor Ideas for SEND Hub.
Outdoor SEND Care Plan Idea 1: The Regulation Route
A regulation route is a repeated outdoor walk or movement pathway that helps a child calm, reset and prepare for learning.
It can be used:
at the start of the day
before a difficult lesson
after playtime
after conflict
during transition
before returning indoors
How to Create a Regulation Route
Choose a short, safe route around school. Take a 60-day free trial to download resources now.
For example:
Start at the classroom door
Walk to the tree
Stop and breathe
Walk to the planter
Water one plant
Walk back to class
Use the same route each time.
Keep the language simple:
“First walk.
Then breathe.
Then water.
Then back to class.”
Why It Supports SEND
A regulation route supports children who need movement, predictability and sensory grounding.
It may help children who:
feel anxious
struggle after playtime
find transitions hard
need movement before learning
become overwhelmed indoors
need a calm adult connection
The key is repetition. The child begins to learn:
“This route helps my body get ready.”
What to Add to the Care Plan
In the outdoor SEND care plan, write:
when the child can use the route
which adult supports it
where the route starts and ends
what language adults should use
what signs show the child needs it
how long it should last
how the child returns to learning
Example wording:
“When the child is becoming overwhelmed, offer the regulation route. Use calm, short language. Walk to the tree, take three breaths, water the planter and return to class. Avoid asking lots of questions during the route. Reflect later when calm.”
Outdoor SEND Care Plan Idea 2: The Access Basket
An access basket is a small set of outdoor resources that helps the child take part in learning successfully.
It is not a reward box. It is an inclusion tool.
What to Put in an Access Basket
Choose resources based on the child’s needs.
Examples:
gloves
ear defenders
visual cards
first/then card
chalk
small whiteboard
natural object tray
communication symbols
timer
magnifier
soft ball
sensory object
pencil grip
clipboard
feelings cards
Keep it simple. Too much choice can be overwhelming.
How to Use It
Before outdoor learning, the adult checks the basket and chooses what the child may need.
For example:
gloves if the child dislikes mud
visual cards if the child struggles with instructions
timer if the child needs to know when the session ends
chalk if writing in a book is difficult
communication cards if speaking is hard
sensory object if the child needs grounding
Why It Supports SEND
An access basket helps remove barriers before they become problems.
It may support children who:
have sensory sensitivities
struggle with communication
need visual prompts
find writing difficult
become anxious with uncertainty
need support to stay engaged
The access basket tells the child:
“We have thought about what you need.”
That can be very reassuring.
What to Add to the Care Plan
In the outdoor SEND care plan, write:
what should be in the basket
when it should be used
who prepares it
which items the child can choose
which items are essential
where the basket is kept
Example wording:
“The child should have access to the outdoor SEND basket during outdoor learning. Include gloves, first/then card, visual instruction cards and chalk. Offer these before the session begins. Do not wait until the child is already distressed.”
How to Use an Outdoor SEND Care Plan in School
An outdoor SEND care plan works best when it is shared and used by everyone.
Make sure it is available to:
class teachers
teaching assistants
SENDCo
lunchtime staff
supply staff
pastoral staff
outdoor learning leads
after-school club staff
The plan should be short enough for staff to read quickly.
A simple one-page format often works best.
Outdoor SEND Care Plan Template
Use this structure:
Child’s Name:
Year Group:
Key Outdoor Strengths:
What does the child enjoy or do well outside?
Outdoor Triggers or Barriers:
What may make outdoor learning difficult?
Regulation Strategies:
What helps the child calm, focus or reset?
Communication Support:
How does the child communicate? What helps them understand?
Sensory Needs:
What does the child seek or avoid outdoors?
Transition Support:
How should adults support going outside and coming back in?
Safety Notes:
What do staff need to know?
Outdoor Learning Adaptations:
How can activities be adjusted?
Resources Needed:
What should be prepared?
Adult Language That Helps:
What phrases work well?
Adult Responses to Avoid:
What makes things worse?
Review Date:
When will the plan be checked?
Example Outdoor SEND Care Plan Wording
Here is an example of how a section might read:
“The child enjoys being outdoors when the routine is predictable. They respond well to quiet walking, collecting natural objects and watering plants. They may become overwhelmed by loud noise, unexpected changes and busy playground spaces. Before outdoor learning, show the first/then card and explain the route. Offer gloves if touching natural materials. Use short instructions and give processing time. If the child becomes dysregulated, offer the regulation route rather than asking lots of questions. Reflect once calm.”
Making Outdoor Learning Inclusive Through Care Planning
A good outdoor SEND care plan does not lower expectations. It removes barriers. Take a 60-day free trial to download resources now.
It helps children access:
outdoor maths
outdoor literacy
phonics outdoors
science investigations
sensory learning
nurture groups
regulation activities
physical development
PSHE
creative outdoor tasks
The plan should help adults think:
“How can this child join in successfully?”
rather than:
“They can’t do outdoor learning.”
For more ideas head to the Outdoor Ideas for SEND Hub.
Want Ready-to-Teach Outdoor Learning and SEND Resources?
The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club helps busy teachers save planning time with ready-to-use outdoor learning resources, SEND ideas and inclusive activities.
Inside the club, you can find support for:
outdoor learning for SEND
regulation routines
nurture group ideas
outdoor phonics and maths
sensory outdoor learning
EYFS outdoor provision
KS1 and KS2 outdoor ideas
simple curriculum-linked activities
practical ideas you can use straight away
You can take a 60-day free trial and start today.
This is ideal if you want outdoor learning to feel simple, purposeful and inclusive without spending hours planning from scratch.
FAQs About Outdoor SEND Care Plans
What is an outdoor SEND care plan?
An outdoor SEND care plan is a simple support plan that explains how a child’s needs will be met during outdoor learning. It includes information about regulation, sensory needs, communication, safety, transitions and adaptations. For more ideas head to the Outdoor Ideas for SEND Hub.
Why do children with SEND need an outdoor care plan?
Some children with SEND may need extra support to access outdoor learning safely and successfully. A care plan helps staff understand what helps, what may trigger distress and how to adapt activities.
What should be included in an outdoor SEND care plan?
An outdoor SEND care plan should include strengths, barriers, regulation strategies, sensory needs, communication support, transition support, safety notes, useful resources and adult responses that help.
Can outdoor learning help children with SEND?
Yes, outdoor learning can support children with SEND by offering movement, sensory input, practical learning, regulation opportunities and alternative ways to access the curriculum.
How can outdoor learning support regulation?
Outdoor learning can support regulation through movement, fresh air, sensory grounding, calming routines, nature walks, purposeful jobs and predictable outdoor spaces.
Who should use the outdoor SEND care plan?
The plan should be used by teachers, teaching assistants, SENDCos, lunchtime staff, pastoral staff, supply teachers and anyone supporting the child outdoors.
How often should an outdoor SEND care plan be reviewed?
It should be reviewed regularly, especially if the child’s needs change, the outdoor environment changes or staff notice that strategies are no longer working.
Does every SEND child need an outdoor care plan?
Not every child will need a separate plan, but some children will benefit from clear outdoor support notes, especially if they struggle with regulation, sensory needs, transitions or safety outdoors.
Ready for More Outdoor Learning and SEND Support?
If you want outdoor learning to become easier, safer and more inclusive, join The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club.
You will find ready-to-use outdoor learning ideas, SEND-friendly resources, regulation activities and curriculum-linked planning to help children learn through movement, nature, talk and play.
Take a 60-day free trial to download resources today and begin with one simple outdoor SEND support plan this week.
