This page gives a brief summary of the statutory assessment
process.
Statutory assessments are processed through the Pupil Services
Teams located in the Southern, Western and Northern areas of
Suffolk. The Pupil Services Teams are part of the County Council’s
Children and Young People’s Service.
What is a statutory assessment?
Statutory assessment is a very detailed assessment of a child’s
educational needs that will include reports from a variety of
people:
- Parents
- School or pre-school staff
- Educational Psychologist
and others who work with or who support the child for
example:
The assessment will identify the child’s needs and any special
help that is required and be produced in the following
format:
|
Part 1 |
Child's details (eg. name, address, parent (s) /
carer(s) |
| Part 2 |
Gives details of the child’s special educational
needs |
| Part 3 |
Describes:
- The long term objectives for the child
- The support the local authority thinks the child needs to
meet their learning objectives
- The arrangements to be made for setting short-term targets and
regularly reviewing the child’s progress towards those
targets.
|
| Part 4 |
Names the school where the support will be made or the local
authority’s arrangements for support if this is not to be in
school. |
| Part 5 |
Gives details of the relevant non-educational needs the child
may have as agreed between health services, social services or
other agencies and the local authority. |
| Part 6 |
Describes how the child will get the help required to support
their non-educational needs. |
When will a statutory assessment be carried out?
The Code of Practice is very clear in its advice that most
children with special educational needs should be supported through
School Action and School Action Plus. However, for a very small
number of children with severe, complex and long term needs it will
be necessary for the local authority to determine what support may
be needed. This is when a statutory assessment should be
requested.
Who can refer for statutory assessment?
- Parent
- School
- Other agency
What is the timeline for statutory assessment?
A statutory assessment should be completed within 26
weeks. There are several steps in the process:
| Step
1 |
The Local Authority considers the request and decides ‘yes’ or
‘no’ to statutory assessment |
6 weeks |
| Step
2 |
The Local Authority makes an assessment and decides whether to
‘make a statement’ or ‘not to make a statement’ |
10 weeks |
|
Step 3 |
The Local Authority will either issue the ‘proposed
statement’ or ‘explain their decision not to make a statement and
send a note in lieu’ (a note in lieu will be produced if it is
considered that a child’s special educational needs can be met
by the school or setting at School Action or School Action
Plus) |
2 weeks |
| Step 4 |
The Local Authority sends out the final statement |
8
weeks |
The whole process should take a total of
26
weeks. The local authority checks very carfully to
make sure that Statements are produced in a timely way.
Relevant Documents
The Education Act
Special Educational Needs Code of Practice Ref: DFES 581/2001
(www.dfes.gov.uk)
Thinking about the Future? A parents' guide to transition
planning
For young people aged 14-19 who have a statement
or other special education needs.
Related Links