Assessments of Special Educational Needs
Assessment under the SEN & Disability Act 2001 is the process by which the Local Authority can discover exactly what the child’s needs are and determine whether special educational provision is needed and how this is best provided. This process is called Statutory Assessment.
Schools should involve the parents at all stages of the identification and assessment process in planning the additional differentiated support for the child, setting targets and reviewing the process. The pre-school or school Special Needs Co-ordinator will decide in consultation with parents exactly what level of support is appropriate to meet a child’s needs. In normal circumstances the School or Early Years Additional Educational Needs Service will make the application for Statutory Assessment.
How is an assessment carried out?
Once it is decided to make an assessment of Special Educational Needs under the SEN & Disability Act, parents are sent a letter from the Pupil Services Department which :
- Asks parents to fill in and return a consent form stating whether they agree or not with the assessment being carried out.
- Explains that the Authority believes that an assessment is necessary;
- Invites parents to put forward any views they might have within 29 days. If you require more time to contribute your views, the following 6 weeks are available for you to prepare a report or letter which you can then send to the Education’s Statutory Assessment Service. Which you can then send to the Local Authority’s Pupil Services Department.”
- Offers an appointment for the Special Needs Officer to meet you to explain the assessment procedures.
There is a strict timetable to the Assessment procedures under the 1996 Education Act, giving you, the parents, time to think, ask questions and to seek independent advice and make your contribution to the process.
The timetable to this process is shown here.
The Pupil Services department provides a parents pack containing information and all the forms that provides parents with the opportunity to inform the Education Authority about their child.
What happens now?
Parents have 29 days to reply to this initial letter from the Local Authority, stating clearly whether you agree or disagree that the assessment of your child should be carried out.
If you disagree with the proposal to assess your child you should send your reasons in writing to Pupil Services, at the Civic Centre, stating clearly why you do not want them to proceed.
The Authority gives careful consideration to your reasons before deciding whether or not to proceed and may wish to arrange a meeting with you to discuss the matter further.
If you agree with the proposal to assess your child, the Assessment will go ahead after the 29 day period has elapsed. If you do not reply to the Local Authority, the assessment will go ahead after 29 days.
Before that happens though, Pupil Service will send you a copy of the Parents Information Pack. If you wish, you can contact the Pupil Service Officer from the Local Authority who has been assigned to deal with your child’s case and arrange for them to visit you. The Officer will bring the Parents Information Pack with them, and will explain about the process and discuss a number of other matters concerning your child’s individual case.