Reviewing Statements of Special Educational Needs

Reviewing Statements of Special Educational Needs

The Annual Review

Reviewing a Statement of SEN should take place annually and should aim to:

•	Review the child's needs as set out in Part 2 of the Statement
•	Assess the child's progress
•	Look at any new information and advice received about the child
•	Review the special help involved
•	Look at any changes to the child's needs which may result in changes to the Statement (or even withdrawal of the Statement if appropriate)

•	Set new targets
•	Make arrangements for phase transfers (i.e. Nursery to Infants, Infants to Juniors and Primary to Secondary School)

The LEA will start the review process by writing to all Head Teachers well in advance with a list of the pupils who require an Annual Statement review.

Before the review meeting the Head Teacher should ask for written advice from parents and anyone else s/he or the LEA feel could contribute to the review. All advice received must be sent to everyone invited to the review at least two weeks in advance.

Parents will be invited to the meeting along with a teacher who knows the child (for example, the class teacher, form tutor or SENCO) and the LEA must be invited to attend, this is very important if things are not going well or a change of placement is being considered (particularly a move to a Special School/Unit).

Your views are important. Your child should also take part in the review process. They may be present at part or all of the review meeting, if they do not attend their views should have been canvassed in advance and brought to the meeting.

The meeting will usually be held at your child's school. Issues discussed could be:
•	Is the Statement still right for the child?
•	Should amendments be made to the Statement?
•	Are new targets to be set - smaller targets may aimed at through the IEPs
•	Should there be changes to a transition plan?
•	If your child's needs have been met by the Statement provision, the LEA may wish to discuss altering or amending the Statement

If you disagree with any part of the decisions made at the meeting, ask for your views to be noted in writing so that there is a record of your disagreement.