Special educational needs (SEN) - statement
What is a Statement of Special Educational Needs?
A Statement is a legal document that describes a child’s special educational needs. It outlines the help that should be given to meet those needs and records the type and name of school that the child attends.
The statement should:
- describe all the child’s special educational needs
- specify clear objectives relating to these needs
- specify the provision to be made to meet these objectives
- describe the arrangements for monitoring progress
The statement may also describe any appropriate non-educational needs and provision. The final version of the statement will name the particular school or educational setting where the child should be placed.
Once a Statutory Assessment is completed, Barnet’s SEN Panel decides whether a statement is required. The panel is chaired by a senior LA officer and includes a senior educational psychologist, a head teacher and and a representative from the health authority.
If the SEN Panel agrees to issue a statement, the SEN Performance Team will send the parents a proposed statement and ask for their comments. The proposed statement provides the basis for discussion and for deciding upon the type of provision and school placement that meets the child’s needs.
The Team is always happy to arrange a meeting to discuss the proposed statements with parents. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact the Pupil and Parent Officer identified on your Parental Response Form. (You should receive a response form with the proposed statement).
You may also wish to contact the Barnet Parent Partnership service at this, or any other, stage in the process as they are there to provide advice and guidance for parents. They are independent of the SEN Performance Team and decision-making.
Parents will also be asked to express a preference for the school they wish to be named on the statement.
Once the parents’ comments have been received and consultation has been made with the proposed school or educational setting, a final statement will be drawn up. This will be sent to the parents, school and professionals working with the child.
If the child’s parents are unhappy with the final statement, including the named school, they have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. In addition, parents may wish to access an independent Disagreement Resolution Service. The Council will inform parents of these arrangements when the statement is issued.
Children, young people and families
