Statutory assessment

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What is a statutory assessment?

A statutory assessment is a process for collecting information, which will enable the Local Authority (LA) to gain a clear picture of your child's special educational needs.

It is not a common process, as in most circumstances additional support can be provided within the school or pre-school at School Action/Early Years Action or School Action Plus/Early Years Action Plus. For more information about the continuum of assessment in the earlier stages, see Stages of Assessment.

An assessment will only be made if it is agreed that a child has complex, long-term and significant needs, and has not made appropriate progress at School Action/ Early Years Action or School Action Plus/ Early Years Action Plus despite a range of interventions.

Who can request a statutory assessment?

Most requests for a statutory assessment are made by schools and early years settings. In some situations health or social care staff may make the request, particularly for children who are not at school. Parents will always be contacted, to agree that a request can been made.

Parents/ carers also have the right to make a request, by writing to the Local Authority (LA). However, it is always best to discuss any issues relating to your child’s progress with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) or headteacher at your child’s school/ early years setting.

What happens next?

The LA will gather information about your child's progress and the steps taken to help them over time, and decide whether to undertake a statutory assessment.

To help with the decision, your child's school will be asked to provide information about your child. The school will want to involve you in this.

On the basis of this information the LA will then decide whether a statutory assessment is necessary. The criteria used to make the decision are outlined in paragraphs 4.41 and 4.43 of the Code of Practice document and in the Wiltshire Indicators and Provision Document

You will receive a letter informing you of the decision.

What is involved if it is decided to carry out a statutory assessment?

The LA will co-ordinate it. They will contact you and professionals who know your child, asking for a written report about your child's special educational needs. Everyone will be asked what has been done already to help your child and what progress has been made.

Your child's needs will be assessed in relation to four areas:

• Communication and interaction
• Cognition (the ability to think and reason) and learning
• Behaviour, emotional and social development
• Sensory and/or physical needs

How long does the process take?

The timeline below shows the stages of the assessment process, and how long it usually takes.

Will I be involved?

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else .Your role in the statutory assessment process is vital because you can provide the picture of your child as a ‘whole person’.

You may give your views in a variety of ways. Your contribution can be short or long; typed, recorded or handwritten on the forms provided or on sheets of paper.

It helps if you respond as soon as you can. You can contact the Parent Partnership Service (at ask) on 08457 585072 for advice, or visit their website at www.askwiltshire.org.

What will happen as a result of the assessment?

At the end of a statutory assessment the LA will decide whether a Statement of Special Educational Need should be drawn up for your child, or whether their needs can continue to be met from the resources usually available within the school/ setting. The LA will write to you to inform you of their decision.

To find out more about what happens after a statutory assessment, please see Statements of SEN.

I have further questions - who can I ask?

Email your question about SEN direct to the parent partnership service or see contact details below.

Related information

• Assessment & Provision
• Jargon Buster
• Position Statement
• SEN - Home
• SEN - What does it mean?
• Support Services
• What if I think my child has SEN?

Related documents

• Wiltshire IPD
• SEN - Entitlement 698kb
• Annual Review documents 2008
• SEN Strategy
• WESFORD 1 2nd edition (Dyslexia resource) WESFORD 1 2nd edition (Dyslexia resource) 4mb

Related links

• Children & Young Peoples' Services Partnership
• Connexions
• Findit Directory
• Resolving Disagreement through Wessex Mediation
• Special Educational Needs Code of Practice
• Parent Partnership Service
• SEN Guide for Parent and Carers

These are external/partnership sites which you may find useful. Wiltshire Council is not responsible for their content.

Last updated: 29 September 2010