This leaflet is for parents/carers of children with a Statement of special educational needs (SEN). It explains what an Annual Review is, why it is necessary and how parents/carers are involved.
What is the Annual Review?
The law says that if your child has a Statement then at least once a year the school must hold a review meeting to discuss your child’s achievements during the year and agree some detailed goals for the next year. This meeting is known as the Annual Review. It checks that the Statement’s description of your child’s needs is still accurate and whether or not any changes need to be made to your child’s educational provision. Your child’s Individual Education Plan will be reviewed and new targets will be set. Further guidance can be found in the SEN Code of Practice (reference DfES 581/2001) which is available via the Wiltshire Council website (see back page for details). Alternatively, phone 0845 6022260 to request a copy.
Who takes part in the Annual Review?
The Local Authority (LA) will tell your school that your child’s headteacher must invite:
- you – as a parent you really can make a difference to the meeting by going along and sharing your views You may also bring along a friend or supporter if you wish.
- a relevant teacher
- a representative from the LA
- your child (if appropriate)
They may also invite:
- representatives from relevant support services (eg an educational psychologist)*
- representatives from health services*
- representatives from social care*
- representatives from other agencies*
(*where they have been involved)
The headteacher will try to ensure that the date fixed for the meeting is convenient for those people who have had the most contact with your child.
The headteacher may choose to delegate any of the responsibilities for SEN so it is common for the SENCo-ordinator to carry out all the duties associated with Annual Reviews.
What happens before the meeting?
The headteacher will ask for reports or comments about your child which will be circulated at least two weeks before the date of the meeting. The people who will be asked to provide a report are:
- you (the school should give you a form to help with this or you can ask for help from the Wiltshire Parent Partnership Service (SENSS))
- your child, if apppropriate
- your child’s teachers
- anyone else who is invited to the meeting
- if your child is in year 6, someone from their future secondary school will attend whenever possible
- any other professional working with your child (e.g.health, social care etc.)
What should I include in my report?
It is helpful to know what you think about:
- the progress you feel your child has made in relation to his/her special needs
- the things that your child finds difficult
- what has pleased you about your child over the past year
- what you feel your child’s needs are in school for the coming year
- what you think you and the school can do to help meet those needs
- anything else about your child’s educational needs or about your child’s circumstances that you feel the school should know.
Children sometimes give their views prior to the meeting to someone in school. You can include your child’s views in your report.
Is my child involved?
Wherever possible your child should also be actively involved in the review process, attending all or part of the Annual Review meeting. They should be encouraged to give their views. You may wish to talk to the school about your child’s involvement in the review process.
What happens at the Review meeting?
The headteacher or SENCO will chair the meeting. The meeting will normally include the following:
- our views of the past year’s progress as well as the views of your child and the school
- whether the targets in the statement or those agreed at the previous Annual Review have been met
- setting targets for the next year
- planning the support in school and from parents to help achieve these targets
- any further action required and who will be responsible for this
- whether the statement needs amending or is no longer needed
If your child is in year 5, the Annual Review will consider the next phase of education (the move to secondary school). You can read more about this in the leaflet entitled ‘Transferring to secondary school’ (see back page).
If your child is in year 9, a transition plan will be drawn up as part of the Annual Review. This is updated in all Annual Reviews from year 9 onwards. More information about this can be found in the leaflet entitled ‘Working together to plan for your child’s future’ (see back page).
What happens next?
After the meeting the headteacher will send the review report, which summarises all the recommendations made in the written review and in the discussions at the review meeting, to the local authority. The report may suggest that the statement needs to be amended or ceased. A copy of the report is sent by the school/setting to everyone who attended the meeting or contributed advice to it. The report must be sent to the LA within 10 working days of the date of the meeting or the end of term, whichever is soonest. If there were differences of opinion between participants at the meeting, this must be recorded in the review report.
The LA will then look at the Annual Review report in relation to your child’s statement. Within one week of making a decision the LA should write to everyone with their decision as to whether they intend to:
- maintain the statement with no amendment
- consider some amendments
- cease the statement altogether
What should I do if I disagree with the outcome of the Local Authority’s response to the Annual Review?
If amendments are made to the statement, the new proposed wording will be sent to you and you will have 15 days to consider any changes to your child’s statement. If you agree the LA will produce a final statement. If you do not agree with the changes, or would like changes that have not been suggested, you can discuss this with your named LA officer and the Wiltshire Parent Partnership Service, SENSS.
Parents and Carers – Record Sheet
People who may be involved with my child’s Annual Review of special educational needs.
| People | Name | Tel No |
| Opportunity Group/Playgroup Leader/Nursery Class Teacher | ||
| Contact person at school (SENCO) | ||
| Learning Support Teacher/Assistant | ||
| Behaviour Support Teacher | ||
| Educational Psychologist | ||
| Medical Officer | ||
| Speech Therapist | ||
| Physiotherapist | ||
| Occupational Therapist | ||
| Social Worker | ||
| Independent Parental Supporter (IPS) | ||
| Parent Partnership Co-ordinator | ||
| Education Officer | ||
| Assistant Education Officer | ||
| Other |
Ref. 03/DCE/SEN/Apr 08
If you require copies of leaflets about SEN, or further information about any aspect of your child’s special educational needs, please contact Wiltshire Council or the Parent Partnership Service (SENSS) at the addresses given below. Alternatively, visit our websites.
Contact Details (LiveLink)
Multiple Contacts:
eMail:
Telephone:
Out of hours:
Fax: 01225 713145
Postal Address:
Central SEN Services
Wiltshire Council
Children
& Education Department
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JN
In Person:
DX:
Last updated: 29 April 2009
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