The 2026 SEN2 collection requires you to record the source of each assessment request. You can configure this by mapping your referrers to five high-level categories in the Lookup Editor.
What is RequestSource?
RequestSource records who made the request for an EHC needs assessment. This helps the DfE understand referral patterns and identify where requests originate.
For 2026, this is a mandatory field.
RequestSource categories
Map each referrer to one of these categories:
Code | Category | Examples |
1 | Young person or parent | Parent, Guardian, Carer, Young person |
2 | School or other education setting | School, College, Nursery |
3 | Health care professionals | GP, Paediatrician, Health visitor, Therapist |
4 | Social care professionals | Social worker, Children's services |
5 | Other | Any other source |
Map referrers to categories
Access Referrer Lookup
Open Synergy Client.
Click System Manager → Lookup Editor.
Click Referrals → Referrer.
Locate the SEN2 Referral Source column in the table.
For each referrer you use, select the appropriate category (1-5) from the dropdown.
Click Save.
📌Note: You can map multiple referrers to the same category. For example, Parent, Guardian, and Carer can all use category 1.
🤓Tip: Focus on mapping your most frequently used referrers first.
Configuration best practice
Map common referrers
Prioritise referrers you use regularly to minimize validation warnings.
Minimize use of 'Other' (code 5)
Try to map most referrers to codes 1-4. If you have many "Other" responses, the DfE may request additional information.
Null values are allowed
Not all referrers need mapping. If a referrer doesn't have a source configured, the RequestSource tag won't appear in the XML for that record.
Resolve Warning 99003
If you see Warning 99003 in your error text file (9999Q), RequestSource is missing for one or more assessment requests.
Fix missing RequestSource
Open the 9999Q file in your Storage Folder.
Identify affected records (child reference or assessment ID).
Click System Manager → Lookup Editor → Referrals → Referrer.
Map the referrers used in affected assessments to appropriate categories.
Click Save.
Re-run the SEN2 report.
Check the 9999Q file to verify Warning 99003 is resolved.
When RequestSource appears in XML
RequestSource exports to the Requests module when:
A referrer is assigned to the assessment, AND
That referrer has a SEN2 Referral Source value configured
If no referrer is assigned, or the referrer has no source configured, the RequestSource tag won't appear.