Children with Special Educational Needs

Frequently asked questions

What is a statutory assessment?

A statutory assessment is a detailed investigation of a child's special educational needs and the special help they need.

In a small number of cases, despite the school doing every thing it can, a child does not make as much progress as expected. We may need to start a detailed assessment to decide if we need to make a Statement of Special Educational Needs. It is called a statutory assessment because the procedures are set out in the 1996 Education Act.

Some children with very significant needs may have a statutory assessment before they start school. For very young children, this assessment could be started when a doctor provides information.

When schools ask for a statutory assessment, we will make sure that we have consulted parents or carers. The schools must also provide information about the provision they have been making and why a statutory assessment would benefit the pupil.

If we decide to make the assessment, the team will get advice from:

Parents or carers, who may send in information about their child
The Head Teacher of the school the child has been going to, or educational advice from someone who knows about special education in Barking and Dagenham
An educational psychologist
A doctor
Social services; and
Other agencies or services who have worked with the child

We try very hard to collect all the reports and decide whether or not to make a statement within 16 weeks of the request for a statutory assessment.