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A statement of Special Educational Needs is a legal document laying out the details of Special Needs which your child is considered to have. The statement then goes on to outline the specific help which will be made available to meet your child's Special Needs. This is called Special Educational Provision. A Statement of Special Educational Needs is set out in six parts:

Part 1 - Introduction

This outlines the child’s name, address, date of birth, language, religion and the names and address(es) of the child’s parents.

Part 2 - Special educational needs

Details of each and every one of the child's Special Educational Needs as identified by the LEA during Statutory Assessment from the advice received and attached as appendices to the statement.

Part 3 - Special educational provision

The Special Educational Provision which the LEA consider necessary to meet the child's Special Educational Needs.

Part 4 - Placement

The type and name of school where the Special Educational Provision specified in part 3 is to be made or the arrangements for the education to be made otherwise than in school.

Part 5 - Non educational needs

All relevant non-educational needs of the child as agreed between the Health Services, Social Services or other agencies and the LEA.

Part 6 - Non educational provision

Details of relevant non-educational provision which will be made available to meet the non-educational needs of the child as agreed between the Health Services and/or the Social Services and the LEA, including the agreed arrangements for its provision.

If it has been decided to issue a Statement of Special Educational Needs, then you will first be sent a 'Proposed Statement'. All sections will be completed except Part 4 (describing the type and name of the school) which is left blank.

You have a right to express a preference for the LEA maintained school you want you child to go to. This may be the school that your child is already attending. We will agree with your preference providing:

• the school you choose is suitable for your child's age, ability and Special Educational Needs.
• your child's attendance there will not effect the efficient education of other children already at the school.
• placing your child in the school will be an efficient use of resources

An assessment should take no longer than 6 months. (There are exceptions to this time limit e.g. when professional advice is received late). Parents or carers can help by replying quickly whenever the Local Education Authority contacts you.

You can download ‘A Parents Guide – Formal Assessment and Statementing Explained’ for further information.

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