Please note:  This information has been provided by the Waltham Forest Parent Partnership Service

A Statement is a document that sets out your child’s needs and the special help he or she should have. Most children will have their special needs met by the school from its own resources using the advice in the Code of Practice. The Local Authority (LA) will make a Statement when, following a statutory assessment, they decide that all the special help your child needs cannot reasonably be provided from the resources normally available to the school.

What does it look like?

A Statement is set out in six parts

  • Part 1 - Your own and your child’s name and address and other details.
  • Part 2 - Details of your child’s special educational needs.
  • Part 3 - The special help which the education authority think your child should get to meet the needs in Part 2.
  • Part 4 - Where your child should go to school.
  • Part 5 - Your child’s other needs apart from educational.
  • Part 6 - How these non-educational needs will be supported.
    (This section will include details of school transport if appropriate to your child’s needs)

What happens once a Statement has been prepared for my child?

You will be sent a ‘Proposed Statement’ along with all the reports. It is important to take time to go through the document to make sure you are happy with it. Part 4 of the statement must be left blank when you are sent a proposed statement. Where possible explain the statement to your child and note any comments he/she makes. Check that you have been send copies of all the reports, which the LA has received from the professionals, involved with your child (including anything by you). If you think something is missing contact special services. You will be asked to say if there is anything you do not agree with. The LA should be told in writing of any changes you would like to be made.

How long have I got to comment?

You have 15 days from the date of the Statement to make comments and say whether you accept it or not. You can ask for a meeting to discuss the proposed Statement with an LA Officer. If you still disagree with all or part of the proposed Statement you have a further 15 days to try to come to an agreement.

What happens next?

The LA will normally make a final statement within eight weeks of making the proposed statement. You will be sent a signed and final copy to keep and your child’s school/setting will also receive a copy. You will also be told of your rights to appeal to the SEN Tribunal if you do not agree with the decision. The SEN Tribunal is independent and considers parent’s appeals against the decision of LA’s about a child’s Special Educational Needs (for further information contact Parent Partnership Service). The Statement comes into force as soon as it is made. The school governors must make sure that your child gets the help set out in the statement.

What happens after a Statement is made?

The advice on the Statement will be followed and reviewed each year, or before if it is felt to be in the child’s interest. This is called an Annual Review.

Can I choose my child’s school?

Deciding which school you feel would be right for your child can be difficult. You have a right to express a preference for which LA maintained school you want your child to attend. In making their decision the LA must agree with your preference as long as:

  • The school you choose is suitable for your child’s age, ability and SEN.
  • Your child’s attendance there will not affect the education of other children already at the school.
  • Placing your child in the school will be an efficient use of resources.

The Code says that parents should be supported in making these choices. Deciding which school you would prefer your child to attend is very important.  For information on schools contact the Special Educational Needs Team as below.

Will my child get free transport?

LA’s have a duty to provide free transport, as they consider necessary.The LA has a policy on transport that you can see.

Remember

Be prepared – you may wish to copy the Proposed Statement and go through the reports to make sure they ‘match up’. This is important if some of the views are conflicting or if you need anything clarified.

It is important that the description of the child’s difficulties is clear. Many people dealing with your child (such as supply teachers) may not have time to read all the advice attached to the Statement.

All difficulties (and strengths) should be included.

The Code of Practice says that provision in Part 3 should be clear and specific, quantified as necessary. It helps to think about how the provisions, which are described, will happen. What type of extra help? How much time will they be given for extra support? Look out for words such as ‘opportunities for’ ‘access to’, ‘benefit from’, ‘regular’ etc. They sound good, but what do they actually mean?

Until a Proposed Statement is sent to you no one else is able to make a firm decision about which placement will be most suitable for your child. Even if you visit a particular school, this does not necessarily mean that the LA will finally recommend a placement at the school.

Governors have specific duties towards children with SEN. They must publish information and report on the schools policy on SEN.

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