If the Local Education Authority decide to proceed with the assessment, parents have an opportunity to supply information and to make representations. Once the authority decides to proceed with a formal assessment, parents might want to present more detailed information. When the Authority informs the parents that it intends to proceed with the assessment it will also provide details of how parents can provide further information. The authority will also provide pro-formas to help parents with this process. This information, like all the other information should normally be returned within 6 weeks, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

As a parent can I be present at any assessments?

Yes of course. You are entitled to be present at any examination or interview, but sometimes you may be asked to wait nearby, if this would help the assessment.

Where do the assessments take place?

Some will take place in a clinic but some may also take place at home or school.

What happens after assessment?

Once all the information has been collected, the authority then makes a decision to draw up a statement, or not.

If no statement is to be issued, the authority will write to you explaining why, and if you disagree with the decision, you will have the right to appeal at the tribunal.

Note in Lieu

The authority may decide not to issue a statement, but a 'note in lieu' instead. This is similar to a statement, but is not binding and does not have the same status as a statement. The note in lieu will ensure that all the information collected during the assessment is put to good use, even if no extra provision is to be made.

Proposed Statement

When the authority decides to issue a statement, it will first issue this in 'proposed' form. This will be done within 2 weeks of completing the assessment. You will have the right to comment on the draft statement.

Final Statement

Once the statement has been agreed and finalised, the authority has a duty to ensure the provision is made.

If you are not happy with the final statement, and the authority feels unable to change it, you have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal.

Parents may express a preference for a school in the maintained sector, or make representations for a placement outside the maintained sector. The authority must comply with a potential preference, unless:

• (i) the school is unsuitable to the child's age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs.
• (ii) the placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children.
• (iii) the placement would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

Local education authorities must consider parental representations and arrange any meetings the parents seek, before issuing the final statement.

Implementation

Once the provision specified in the statement is in place the school and the authority's responsibility continues and they must ensure the needs of the child are met.

Annual Review

The school and the authority must ensure the needs of the pupil continue to be met. They will do this through the process of annual review. You will also take part in this process and your views will be taken into account. At around 14 there will be a more involved review procedure which will consider the transition from school and the continuing education on into adulthood.

Exceptional Circumstances

The code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs lays down time limits for each part of the process. It also says that the whole process from start to finish should take no longer than 26 weeks. However, because of exceptional circumstances there may be occasions when the time limits cannot be met.

For example:

• (i) during periods when the school is closed.
• (ii) if appointments are not kept, or if the pupil is absent from the area for a while.
• (iii) if there are special personal circumstances.
• (iv) information from elsewhere is not returned on time.
• v) parents want more time to provide advice.