SENAC (Special Education Needs Advice Centre)

When the request for Statutory Assessment is received The gathered information will go to the EA Statutory Assessment and Review Service (SARS). They will consider the information provided by the parents/carers, the child or young person if appropriate, teachers and the LSC/SENCO of the school. They will also consider information from the EA Educational Psychologist, and if applicable medical professionals, specialist teachers from EA SEND Services, social services and anyone else working with the child who may have relevant information. Parents will be told within 6 weeks whether the EA have decided to carry out a Statutory Assessment or not. If the EA decide not to carry out your request for a Statutory Assessment, they must inform you in writing, giving reasons for the decision. They must also inform you of your right to, and how you can appeal their decision If the EA decide to carry out a Statutory Assessment they will: • Write to the parent explaining the procedures of the Statutory Assessment and will request Advices/Reports from parents/carers, the school, medical, educational psychology service and therapists if involved, and any other relevant professionals. • They will give a name of a SEN Link Officer who will be the parent’s contact. • They will explain the parent’s rights to make representations within a specified period. This must be no less than 22 days • As part of this process the EA will ask you to complete a consent and a Parental Advice form. There are guidelines on how to complete your Advice form in the Code of Practice (Part 3.46, page 34). The named EA officer can also provide guidance. Include all the information that you feel will be relevant. • Following the assessment, if the EA decides that they are required to issue a Statement of SEN, you will receive a Proposed Statement. You will be asked to name your preferred school. You can ask for changes if you feel something has been omitted or not specific enough, you can also ask for a meeting. You can ask for more time to consider the Proposed Statement. • The EA will consult with the named school to decide if they can comply with your preference of school and if the school can meet your child’s needs as outlined in the Proposed Statement. A copy of the final Statement, naming the school, will be sent to the parents and forwarded to the school.