Special Educational Needs Assessment

Special Education Needs - Assessment.
Most children's needs should be met by their ordinary schools. But perhaps 1 child in every 50 across the country will need more help.

Phase 1
When a school or a parent asks the Council to assess a child's educational needs, the Council will write to you to tell you that they are considering this request.  

You will be invited to write to the Council to tell us your view about whether an assessment is needed.

The request will be considered by the LA’s Moderation Group, made up of representatives from the LA, school staff, Health Authority and Community Groups. 

The Council has six weeks to decide whether an assessment is needed.

Phase 2
If the Council considers that your child's needs should be assessed, we will then write to you again to tell you so. In that letter we will ask you to tell us about your child's needs.

At the same time, the Council will also ask the following people for their views about your child's educational needs:

• Your child's school, nursery or playgroup
• An educational psychologist
• A school doctor
• Social Services (they will only be asked to comment about matters which relate directly to your child's education)
• Any other people who have worked with your child.

Phase 3
When all the reports have been collected, they are considered by the LA’s panel - Statutory Provision and Assessment Group (SPAG)

This panel considers:

• Whether the Council should issue a statement of SEN for your child;
• What that statement should provide.

You will either receive a proposed statement for your child, or a letter to tell you why the Council has decided not to issue a statement. The Council has two weeks to do this.

You can appeal if you do not agree with the outcome of the assessment:

Parents, schools and the Council also have access to a Disagreement Resolution Service. This service provides an independent person who will aim to help the parties reach an agreement. If you decide to use the Disagreement Resolution Service you may also go to the Tribunal at the same time.

Luton Borough Council uses the London SEN Disagreement Resolution Service. If you would like more information please contact the Parent Partnership Service on Luton 548156.

Phase 4
We hope that you will be satisfied with the outcome of the assessment. If the Council has issued a statement and you agree with the contents, we will finalise the statement. This means that your child's school will receive a copy. Your child's needs and progress will be reviewed at least annually.
You may discuss the proposed statement with the Named Officer. The Council has eight weeks to agree the proposed statement with you before finalising it.

Words you may see in reports:

Annual review: Every year your child's progress will be checked. You will be invited to this meeting. It is important that you attend. A report is produced. You will receive a copy.

SEN Code of Practice: This guide tells Councils and schools how to organise help for children and young people with SEN. It is issued by the Department for Education and Skills.

Individual Education Plan: This specifies what your child's targets are for the next period and what will be done by the school, you and your child to meet those targets.

Inclusion: This term means meeting a range of needs in one school. The Council aims to meet the needs of as many children as possible in their local school.

What if I am unhappy with the outcome?
If you are not happy with what is happening at any stage, you should contact your Named Officer.
You may also contact the Parent Partnership Service.

If you do not agree with the wording of a statement please phone or write to us. Your Named Officer will meet you to discuss this. Very often, these difficulties can be resolved quite easily.

If you do not agree with the outcome of an assessment please contact us to discuss this. Your Named Officer will meet you to explain exactly how the decision has been taken.

If you are still not in agreement you have the right to appeal to an independent Tribunal, called the SEN and Disability Tribunal. You can get information about this tribunal from us, from the Parent Partnership Service or directly from the Tribunal Office.

Useful addresses

SEN Code of Practice available from:
DfE Publications,
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications
Telephone - 0370 000 2288

Special Educational Needs and Disabiilty
First-tier Tribunal
Mowden Hall
Staindrop Road
Darlington
DL3 9BGTelephone - 01325 392 760 or Email - sendistqueries@tribunals.gsi.gov.uk