Special educational needs (SEN) - assessment
What is a Statutory Assessment?
Statutory assessment is a detailed examination to find out exactly what the child’s educational needs are and to identify which kind of help will best meet those needs.
If the Council decides that a Statutory Assessment is appropriate it will ask for detailed information from:
- the child’s parents
- school or educational setting
- other professionals, including an Educational Psychologist and Social Services if they are involved.
A medical examination will also be required as part of the assessment.
When the assessment is complete, the Council considers whether to issue a statement of special educational needs.
How is a statutory assessment requested?
Parents can ask the Council to consider whether a statutory assessment is appropriate for their child.
More usually, the school or educational setting will request an assessment following discussion with the parents. Other professionals, such as health authority professionals, may also ask the Council to consider a statutory assessment. In all cases, the request must be discussed with the child’s parents before it is sent to the Council.
When a child is referred to the Council for statutory assessment we will first seek evidence and information on the child’s special educational needs from the school and from other professionals involved. This information will help the Council decide whether statutory assessment is appropriate.
The Council will require evidence that the child’s special educational needs:
- are significant and complex
- have not responded to relevant and purposeful measures put in place by the school and supporting outside agencies
- may call for support that cannot usually be provided by a mainstream school from its own resources
The Council will be guided by the Government’s SEN Code of Practice, as well as its own SEN criteria, in deciding whether to undertake a statutory assessment.
A copy of the Govenment's code of practice can be downloaded from www.teachernet.gov.uk.
The Council must notify parents of their decision within six weeks of receiving the original referral.
Parents requesting a Statutory Assessment
If you feel that your child might benefit from a Statutory Assessment of their Special Educational Needs you should, in the first instance, discuss this with staff at your child’s school or nursery. The school will be able to advise you on the extent of your child’s needs and the provision they are able to put in place to support your child.
If the school feel that your child may need a statutory assessment they will discuss this with you. If you agree, the school will collate the available documentation regarding your child’s needs and any provisions already made and forward this to the Council requesting Statutory Assessment.
As a parent you also have the right to request the Council to consider whether a Statutory Assessment is appropriate for your child. If you wish to do so,please write to:
SEN Performance Team
Education Department
North London Business Park, Building 4
Oakleigh Road South London, N11 1NP
Please remember to include your child’s details (name, date of birth and current school or nursery, if any) and your own contact details.
Children, young people and families
