Statement of SEN

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What is a Statement of Special Educational Needs?

A statement of special educational needs describes a child or young person's needs, the main objectives to be worked towards, and the appropriate provision to be made.

The local authority (LA) will make a statement following a statutory assessment, if it is decided that the child or young person’s needs cannot be met from within the resources already available to the school/ early years setting. To find out more about the statutory assessment process go to Statutory Assessment.

What happens after a statutory assessment?

The LA will inform parents/ carers and schools of the decision to issue a statement or not to issue a statement.

If a statement is not issued:

• Parents will be sent a copy of all assessment papers
• Parents will be sent a ‘Note in Lieu of a Statement’. This describes the child/ young person’s needs and the provision that should be made at School Action Plus/ Early Years Action Plus

Even if the LA decide after a statutory assessment that your child does not need a statement, your child will continue to be supported by the school/ Early Years setting, at School Action/ Plus or Early Years Action/ Plus. Provision will be specified in the ‘Note in Lieu’ and should be discussed with the SENCO.

If a statement is issued the process is:

• A proposed statement (a draft) is sent to parents/ carers with full details of how they can give their views before it is finalised
• Parental views are welcome and LA officers are always happy to discuss the statement, if necessary
• Parents/ carers have 15 days (which can be extended upon request) to read the proposed Statement, make comments and express a preference for a particular school. If there are any questions about this process, the assistant education officer (as named in the letter) can be contacted
• Within 26 weeks of the request for a statutory assessment, parents/ carers and the child’s school will be sent a final statement, which will include a named school
• All parts of the statement will be reviewed at least once a year. For more information about this go to the leaflet entitled ‘The Annual Review'

You can contact the parent partnership service (at ask) for information and advice, at any time in this process.

To find out more about the continuum of provision for children with SEN in Wiltshire, go to Provision.

If we are not able to reach agreement about any of the processes or outcomes with regard to Special Educational Needs, there is an independent mediation service available at Wessex Mediation and an appeals procedure in place via the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.

I have further questions - who can I ask?

Email your question about SEN direct to the parent partnership service

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: 10 August 2010