Children with Special Educational Needs

Frequently asked questions

How are the Special Educational Needs Panel decisions recorded?

The panel preparation sheet is also a record of panel decisions. The panel discusses the request thoroughly, trying to make sure that all the relevant issues are considered, and will then make a decision. The panel does not vote. Instead, the discussion continues until any questions have been considered and members reach an agreed decision.

Having listened to everyone's views and agreed the decision, the chairperson confirms:

The main points of the decision and reasons for the decision; and
The main actions that need to be taken

For a request for an assessment, action could be for the assessment officer to start a statutory assessment and tell people including parents and staff at the school.

The Special Educational Needs Panel may need to have more discussions, for example, when significant amendments to a statement are considered. Preparation notes for these discussions are added to the previous recorded minutes. In this way, there is always a record of all panel discussions about a particular pupil.