Contact
Contact Area
Special Educational Needs Department
Monmouthshire County Council
5th Floor
County Hall
Croesyceiliog
Cwmbran
Torfaen
Tel: 01633  644511
Faxn no 01633 644525
NP44 2XH
e-mail : SEN@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Guide for Parents
Introduction

A code of practice has been published on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. Education authorities and schools should work with parents whose children have, or might have, special educational needs.

What is special educational need? This is when a child has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age, or has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of the educational facilities normally provided in the area.

The local education authority, and schools in Monmouthshire, operate a staged approach to the identification and assessment of special educational needs, as outlined in the code.

Parents and schools are encouraged to work closely together in identifying the needs of children, and to work in close partnership to meet those needs. If you are concerned about your child's progress in the school, you should always talk to the headteacher of the school first.

This leaflet lays down your rights as parents, and outlines the procedures involved in making a formal assessment of educational needs. The local education authroity must respond to a request to carry out an assessment, and the assessment should normally be completed within a set time limit. The formal request to carry out an assessment should, more often after both parties have been in consultation, and even then, only after a reasonable period of monitoring and review.

There may be occasions when circumstances change quickly, or the needs of the pupil require immediate attention. The authority intends to continue to act quickly in such cases, but the authority endorses the view in the code of practice that the needs of the vast majority of children can be met in mainstream schools without issuing a statement.

What is a STATEMENT?

If, after an assessment, the authority thinks the child has special educational needs, it will be drawn up a statement of these needs. The statement will specify certain types of provision and resources needed to meet the identified needs. The authority must ensure that the provision specified in the statement is made. The statement is needed because additional resources, and or, provision will often be required. The statement will also mean that the situation is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the needs of the child are being met, and that realistic short term goals are specified. Parents will have the opportunity to make comments at every stage of the process.

Formal Notice

You will receive official notification that the authority might have to carry out an assessment of your child's educational needs.

What should I do?

Make sure you reply within 29 days

What will the authority do?

The authority will usually make a decision within 6 weeks either to proceed with the assessment or not.

Reply Slip

The reply slip that comes with the official letter gives you the opportunity to let the authority know what you think. It also asks you to give your permission, or not, for the assessment to take place.

What should I do?

Fill in the reply slip and return it within 29 days

Remember the authority has not made any decision yet. The information you supply will help and guide the authority when making the decision to proceed with an assessment, or not.

Making your views known

The authority wants to know exactly what you think. You can either write your views down, or talk to someone from the authority about your child.

What should I do?

Write down your views and send them in.

Or contact the officer named in your letter. You have 29 days to make your views known.

What will the authority do?

The authority must take note of your views. If you talk to the officer named in your letter, he or she will note down your views and check to see if you agree.

Can anyone help me with this?

Yes. You might know of someone yourself, or you might know someone who you think has important information about your child.

What should I do?

On the reply slip write down the name, address and telephone numbers of anyone you want the authority to contact.

What will the authority do?

The authority must contact and speak to anyone the parents list.

Parents can also name a person who can act on their behalf, or help them in discussions with the authority.

The 'Named Person'

The person the parents name is someone who is not connected with the authority. The named person can give parents information and advice, and can support them in their discussions with the authority. If parents want help, but do not know of anyone themselves, they should contact the organisations listed below:

Special Needs Advisory Project
Skills Development Centre
Avondale Way
Cwmbran
NP44 1TS
Tel: 01633 867187

When will a decision be made?

The authority must make a decision either to proceed with an assessment or not, within 6 weeks, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Can the authority decide not to proceed?

Yes, if there seems to be good reason. The authority will write to you and the school explaining why the decision has been made. If you do not agree with the decision, you have the right to appeal, and challenge the decision at a tribunal.

What is a Tribunal?

The tribunal is a newly formed, independent body which can hear complaints. The tribunal's decision is binding, and must be carried out: The Tribunal can be contacted at :

Special Educational Needs Tribunal Windsor House 50 Victoria Street LONDON SW1H ONW Tel: 0171 925 6925

What happens if the authority decides not to proceed?

The authority needs to collect information on your child. There is a need to collect information from the school, and there will need to be specialist information collected from an educational psychologist. There will also need to be a medical check. You will be given several appointments.

What should I do?

Make sure you keep the appointments

What will the authority do?

The authority should have all the information in place within 6 weeks, and will make a decision either to draw up a statement or not, within 10 weeks of the decision to proceed with the assessment