Statutory Assessment
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What is a Statutory Assessment?
If your child does not seem to be making progress at Early Years Action Plus or School Action Plus, or needs a lot of extra help that the school is unable to provide, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council may decide to carry out a statutory assessment.
A statutory assessment is a full and detailed investigation to find out what your child's special educational needs are and what special help your child requires.
The process normally takes 26 weeks to complete. During the process you will receive a number of letters from the AN Section and will be asked to fill in and return a number of forms. If at any point you would like help or support in the statutory assessment process, please contact the Named Officer using the details below. Take a look at the Statutory Assessment Table timeline (pdf) for an overview of the process.
Who can ask for a Statutory Assessment?
You can ask for a statutory assessment of your child and so can your child's school. The request needs to be in writing. If the school want to ask for an assessment they should always talk to you first. The local health authority is also able to request assessment if it is felt necessary and again should speak to you before doing this.
If you would like to request a statutory assessment it would be a good idea to speak to your child's class teacher or the school's Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) first.
The Council will consider the request for statutory assessment carefully, and you will be told within six weeks if an assessment is to be carried out.
What happens after the request for Statutory Assessment?
The Council has six weeks to decide whether to carry out a statutory assessment or not. You will be asked to fill in and return two forms. It is very important that these forms are completed, signed and returned to us. They are:
•A Request for Assessment: parental permission form (pdf)
•A Request for Assessment: medical permission form (pdf)
The decision on whether to carry out a statutory assessment will be based on all the information sent in. It is important that the information provided is accurate. Evidence will come from you and from the school. You can also provide evidence from other professionals involved with your child.
The Council will consider all the information provided and will either proceed with a Statutory Assessment, ask for more detailed information, or decide that your child's needs can continue to be met at Early Years Action Plus or School Action Plus. You will be informed of this decision in writing within seven working days.
What happens during a Statutory Assessment?
People will be asked for their views on your child. As a parent, your views are very important and any views your child may have will also be important. To help provide your information you will be asked to complete and return a Parental Advice form (pdf)
Advice will be asked from you, the school, an educational psychologist, a doctor, social services (if they know your child) and anyone else we think could help to give a clear picture of your child's needs.
You will be able to go with your child to any interview, medical appointment or other test carried out as part of the assessment. It is really important that all appointments are kept as failure to attend will delay the assessment.
What happens after a Statutory Assessment?
The Council has ten weeks to gather all the information and decide on whether to issue a Statement in Special Educational Needs or to issue a Note In Lieu. When all the evidence has been received, the AN Panel will consider the evidence very carefully before making a recommendation.
If it is decided that a Statement should be written, you will receive a copy of the Proposed Statement within two weeks of the decision being made. You will also receive a copy of the evidence gathered during the assessment.
If it is decided that a Statement should not be written, then a Note In Lieu will be sent to you. This will explain the reasons why a Statement wasn't made and will tell you how your child's needs should be met in the school or with other services accessed through the school.
Who can I contact if I need further help or support?
•The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo) at your child's school/setting.
•Your Named Officer based in the council’s AN Section (tel: 01633 656656).
•SNAP Cymru who provide an Independent Parent Partnership Service (tel: 01633 246897).
The information on this page is also available as a printable leaflet (pdf).
Caroline Hyde Tel: 01495 353314 Email: caroline.hyde@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Paula Blackmore –Tel: 01495 355443 Email paula.blackmore@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Anvil Court
Church Street
Abertillery
NP13 1DB
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