Statutory Assessments and Statements of Special Educational Needs

Assessment

From birth, assessment is an ongoing process for all children. Teachers assess children as part of their everyday teaching.

Statutory Assessment

Statutory Assessment is a very detailed look at a child’s difficulties, strengths and needs. It is only necessary if the school or setting cannot provide all the help that your child needs.

A Statutory Assessment can be requested:

by your child’s school or setting
by you as the child’s parent/carer
by referral from another agency

In all cases the Local Authority will write to you to let you know if they have decided to go ahead with a Statutory Assessment. If they decide not to go ahead and you disagree, you have the right to make an appeal to an Independent Tribunal (SENDIST). See leaflet 4.

Possible Outcomes of a Statutory Assessment

The Local Authority must let you know about their decision not to make a Statement, giving their reasons and usually enclosing a Note in Lieu.
A Note in Lieu describes the child’s special educational needs, explains why the Local Authority does not think it necessary to make a Statement and makes recommendations about the provision for the child.
When the Local Authority intend to make a Statement you receive a Proposed Statement detailing how the Final Statement will look, but leaving out the school or setting. The Local Authority is not allowed to write anything in that section at this time. You will be asked to let them know where you would like your child to go to school.

A Statement of Special Educational Needs

A Statement of Special Educational Needs is a legal document which sets out your child’s needs and describes how those needs will be met. It is written taking into account all the advice produced during a Statutory Assessment.

Before the Statement is finalised, the Local Authority must send you a Proposed (draft) Statement, along with a copy of all the reports sent in during the Statutory Assessment.

A Statement contains;

Part 1: Introduction (your child’s name, date of birth, your name, address and other details).
Part 2: Special educational needs (a description of your child’s special education needs).
Part 3: Special educational provision (the special educational help that is needed for your child and which must be provided).
Part 4: Placement (the setting or school which is thought to be appropriate for your child – this will be blank at this stage).
Part 5: Non-educational needs (any non-educational difficulties that your child has).
Part 6: Non-educational provision (the non-educational help that should be provided).

You have 15 days in which to give your views and to tell the Local Authority which school you would like your child to attend. The Local Authority must produce a Final Statement within 8 weeks. During this time you can discuss any concerns you may have with an officer of the Local Authority.

If you disagree with the Final Statement

If you have concerns, there are aspects of the Statement against which you can appeal to the independent Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). See leaflet 4.

Your child and the help described in the Statement

The Final Statement takes legal effect as soon as the Local Authority has signed it. The support should begin immediately although it can take time when a new member of staff needs to be recruited.

When your child has a Statement

The Statement must be reviewed at least once a year. You will be invited to this meeting. The setting or school will produce an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Provision Map based on the information in the Statement. This should be reviewed at least twice a year and ideally each term.

How long the Statement lasts depends on the progress your child makes. Sometimes a child needs a Statement throughout his or her schooling. Sometimes such good progress is made that a Statement is no longer necessary. Decisions like this will only be taken at an annual review meeting.

The Parent Partnership Service is there to help you with advice and information on all of the above.

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