Please note: This information has been provided by the Waltham Forest Parent Partnership Service
What is a Statutory Assessment - How can I be involved?
A Statutory Assessment is a careful study which aims to find out more about your child, his or her abilities and difficulties. Sometimes it is called a formal assessment. It helps the education authority to decide what special help your child needs. Different professionals will be asked to make contributions to the assessment. They will look at your child’s needs from different angles and write reports.
You will be asked to make a written contribution. You know your child better than anyone, so your contribution is very important. When the reports are put together they will give a full picture of your child’s needs.
The Local Authority (LA) decides whether to make an assessment following a request from the school, nursery, pupil assessment unit or relevant education provider.
Can I ask for a Statutory Assessment for my child?
Yes. You can ask by writing to the education authority. For help with this contact Parent Partnership Service. You should always talk to your child’s school or setting before you ask for an assessment.
How is an Assessment carried out?
Once the Education Department agrees to make an assessment you will be sent a letter explaining what will happen. You will be given 29 days to reply to this letter saying whether you agree that it should assess your child’s needs. They will tell you the name of one of their staff who will be able to give you more information. This person is called the Caseworker. If you respond quickly this can help to reduce the time it takes to complete the stages of this process.
How can I make sure I keep a track of what is happening?
You will probably receive many letters, reports and other correspondence and you will need to keep a track of it all.
Remember to:
- Keep together all paperwork and information you receive.
- Write down the date you receive any letters or papers.
- Put the date on any letters you write and keep a copy.
- With phone calls, write down; the date, who you spoke to and briefly what was said.
How long will this take?
The Education Department has six weeks to tell you whether it will make a statutory assessment of your child. If it takes longer contact your child’s Caseworker to find out why.
What can I do if the Education Department decides not to assess my child?
If the Education Department decides that an assessment is not needed they will write to you and your child’s school giving the reasons for this decision. Your child can still get extra help from the school and the LA must tell you how they think the school can meet your child’s needs. You should discuss this fully with the school. If you, or your child’s school or setting have requested a statutory assessment and the Education Department decides not to make one, you have a right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal. You should contact the LA at this stage so that together you can try to sort the matter out. For more information contact the Parent Partnership Service.
How can I be involved?
The Education Department will ask advice from:
- you
- your child’s school
- an educational psychologist
- a paediatrician/doctor
- any others who are helping your child, for example a social worker, speech and language therapist, physiotherapist etc.
Each professional involved in the assessment of your child will contact you and you have a right to be present during the assessment process. However, children can act differently when their parents are around, so sometimes it may be better that you do not attend.
You may have information you would like to include to support your case - for example - Audiological or Ophthalmological assessments. This will help the Authority to gain more understanding of your child’s needs.
Here are some questions you may wish to ask the professionals contributing to the assessment:
When you meet the Teacher:
- What help is my child receiving in the areas in which he/she is experiencing difficulty?
- What progress has been made so far?
If you have not seen any records of your child’s progress, you may like to ask if any have been kept, and if you can see them?
When you meet the Educational Psychologist:
- Why do you think my child needs to be assessed?
- What help does he/she need?
When you meet the Doctor/Paediatrician:
- Does he/she have a medical condition which is affecting his/her learning?
- If yes, what help will he/she need?
- Does he/she need to see another medical specialist?
- Does he/she need any specialist equipment?
When you meet the Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
- Is my child developing normally with his speech, communication, physical skills?
- Do any of these things affect his learning?
- Are there any specialist groups I can be put in touch with?
Don’t forget Waltham Forest Parent Partnership can put you in touch with support groups
How can I make a contribution?
The Education Department, as part of the assessment, will ask you for written information about your child. Your child’s views should also be included where possible. If you need help with making your views known contact the Caseworker or Parent Partnership Service.
You know your child better than anyone, so your contribution is very important. You may wish to speak to other family members, or with a close friend before writing. You can ask for a translator, if you think this would help. You may write in any way you wish, a few sentences or several pages. Don’t worry about spelling or handwriting. Its important to get your views heard. If you prefer to make comments verbally to the Education Department, make sure you receive a copy of your comments.
What should I say?
It is helpful to include:
- what you think your child’s difficulties are
- do you feel your child’s difficulties are severe? Why? Try to give details
- the length of time you have known about these difficulties and any changes that you have noticed
- what you think you child’s needs are now, and what they may be in the future
- what your child thinks he or she needs, in order to be helped
- reports from other people who know your child. For example a pre-school leader, health visitor, doctor or second opinion from another professional.
It is also important to say what your child can do and what he or she enjoys doing. Tell the things that only you would know.
Can I get help?
Yes. You can contact the Parent Partnership Service for further help.
Parents’ checklist
It will help your child if you give as much information as possible.
Your child’s early years: Say when you first noticed any difficulties - big or small. Did you tell anyone - what help or advice did you get?
Your child now: Health - eating, sleeping, illnesses, tiredness.
Physical skills - walking , climbing, drawing, using scissors.
Communication - speech, describing things, talking to people. How much do you think your child understands what you say?
Personal skills - dressing, washing, feeding, travel.
Your child at home: Watching TV, reading, hobbies.
Outside activities - clubs, sports
Relationships - parents, brothers & sisters, adults.
Behaviour at home - sharing listening, helping, moods, loving, tantrums.
Your child at school: What is your child good at? What does your child enjoy? Everything you feel about school - relationships, progress, how has school helped or not helped - how has the extra help benefited your child, what is easy or difficult for your child.
Are your child’s difficulties getting worse?
What help do you think your child needs?
Your child’s view - Where possible its important to give your child’s views. Does your child realise that he/she has difficulties? If so, what are his/her views on how he/she would like to be helped. How has your child told you?
When you have finished your report, read it through and see if someone who had never met your child would get a clear picture of his/her life and difficulties?
What happens after the Assessment?
When the Education Department has collected all the information it needs about your child it will decide whether to make a Statement of Special Educational Needs. The Education Department will normally tell you its decision no more than 12 weeks after the decision to carry out the assessment. If it takes longer contact your child’s Caseworker to find out why there is a delay.
What happens if a Statement is not made?
If the Education Department decides not to make a Statement they will normally send you a ‘Note in Lieu’. You should meet with the school to find out how they plan to meet the needs of your child. If you do not agree with this decision you have the right to appeal to the Special Needs Tribunal.
What happens if a Statement is made?
You will be sent a copy of a proposed statement together with all the reports and advice. See 'What is a Statement'? for further information.
Remember:
You and your child should be fully involved at all stages during the assessment process
Don’t forget to give your written views and the views of your child if possible. If you need help with this - ask!
By agreeing to the assessment, it does not mean that you have agreed that your child be placed in a special school. Most children with Special Educational Needs go to an ordinary school.
Governors have specific duties towards children with Special Educational Needs. Ask for a copy of the schools policy on Special Needs, which schools have to publish.
You have a right to have help with translation, if it would help.
There is a strict timetable to the assessment procedures. This gives you time to think, ask questions and seek independent advice and make your contribution.
The LA should clearly explain what will happen and must inform you or the Parent Partnership Service.
This can be a difficult and stressful time. If you have doubts or need help contact the Parent Partnership Service
Contact us
SEN Team
1st Floor, Wood Street Health Centre
Linford Road
London E17 3LA
Tel: 020 8496 6503/6505
Email senteam@walthamforest.gov.uk
