Service Description: Children with special educational needs have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. These children may need extra or different help from that given to other children of the same age. An assessment of special educational needs (SEN) may be considered when a child has severe or complex educational needs for which additional resources, or alternative provision may be required to meet their needs. Once the assessment has been completed the child may be eligible for a special educational needs statement offered by the local authority. This sets out the special educational needs of the child and the special help they should have at school.
Also known as:- Assessment, SEN, SEN Admissions, Special Needs, Statement, Sure Start, Surestart
Answer: The whole procedure takes 26 weeks. Once we receive a referral we have six weeks to advise you of the LEA’s (Local Education Authority) decision. If it has decided against starting a statutory assessment of your child’s special educational needs, you will be given reasons why and details of what you can do next – a copy of this letter will also be sent to their school. If the LEA (Local Education Authority) has agreed to start a statutory assessment, it has 12 weeks to gather the information required and decide if a statement is necessary. The LEA will aim to issue the final statement within 8 weeks of the date of the proposed statement.