What is a statutory assessment of SEN?

What is an assessment of special educational needs?

In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, there is a clearly defined statutory assessment process, which follows the guidance in the Department for Children, Schools and Families' Special Education Needs Code of Practice (http://inclusion.ngfl.gov.uk) .  It helps schools plan programmes to support children's learning in partnership with their parents.  The first stages of the process are school-based.

School Action - aims to help the child get more help from his or her teacher.

If this does not help overcome the child's learning difficulties, the school will involve the child's parents and draw up an Individual Education Plan.

If this then does not help overcome the child's learning difficulties, the school will put School Action Plus into practice.

School Action Plus - is the name given to the stage when the school involves specialist help from outside the school.

If the child still does not progress, the child's Headteacher may ask the local authority to decide if the child's needs are so severe that a statutory assessment is required.

Statutory Assessment - During a statutory assessment the needs of the child will be assessed by the child's school, educational psychologist, medical officer and by people with other expertise in special educational needs.  Parents are also expected to contribute to this process.

The professional advice received during the Statutory Assessment will then be considered by the local authority, which will decide if the child requires a statement of special educational needs.